# Fukushima still melting down, still a nuclear disaster **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 3, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282 "2013-10-03T17:48:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/261 "2013-12-28T23:34:08Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > Oh fuck, look at what the stupid left over the holidays. . . . We were just thinking the same thing of you. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/262 "2013-12-29T01:43:56Z")
It must be interesting when FXMastermind get’s his final grades… Test Scores: 65 82 44 63 58 Oooh, I got a B! ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/263 "2013-12-29T02:54:26Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > We were just thinking the same thing of you. Oh please. You lie! ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/264 "2013-12-29T02:56:04Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > Oh please. You lie! And you’re daft, mad, cracked, loony, insane, doltish, unbalanced, and warped. And while we’re on the subject, you’re a rotten cook, as well. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/265 "2013-12-29T02:59:11Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > And you’re daft, mad, cracked, loony, insane, doltish, unbalanced, and warped. > > And while we’re on the subject, you’re a rotten cook, as well. Let me guess, he failed at the iron chef with his overcooked and crummy processed quotes uh? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Peaton\_of\_peat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecae2f/32.png) [@Peaton\_of\_peat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peaton_of_peat)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2013, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/266 "2013-12-30T01:10:13Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > Oh fuck, look at what the stupid left over the holidays. > > … > > Not even worth [trying](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=710696) to [explain](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=695512) it at this point. Congratulations, you’ve managed to convince me that you’re right! Especially with that last part there, which I overlooked in my extensive FXMastermind research of “seeing colossal threads that are 33+% FXMastermind and not noticing him anywhere else.” Yes, now I figure there is a 0% chance of you being a shill. So instead of being regular dumb and being paid to act extra dumb, I guess you’re just extra dumb in the first place. Good luck with that! ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/267 "2013-12-30T01:32:44Z")
> [@Peaton\_of\_peat](#): > > Congratulations, you’ve managed to convince me that you’re right! Protip: I still don’t give a fuck. About your lame flames, your opinions, your stupid insults, and especially your penchant for talking about your delusions, rather than any science, or about Fukushima. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2013, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/268 "2013-12-30T01:42:09Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > Protip: Protip? Are you living in 2002? ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2013, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/269 "2013-12-30T01:57:40Z")
> [@](#): > > Earlier this year, a media storm ensued when researchers confirmed that Pacific bluefin tuna caught in Californian waters were marked by radioactive elements absorbed from the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan. This elevated concerns about the health impacts of eating the fish, and some devastated sushi-buffs swore-off Pacific bluefin in response. But now researchers have released a paper intended to allay fears about eating the fish. [Fukushima tuna safe to eat – study | Environment | The Guardian](http://www.theguardian.com/environment/world-on-a-plate/2013/jun/04/fukushima-tuna-safe-to-eat) > [@](#): > > Last May, scientists reported that 15 Pacific bluefin tuna caught in California in the months after the disaster at Japan’s Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in 2011 contained trace amounts of radiation. It was the first evidence of migrating animals transporting radioactive materials across the ocean, and the researchers suggested it could provide a means for tracking the fish’s annual migrations. > > Now, nearly two years after the plant discharged radioactive materials into the ocean, follow-up research led by a biology PhD candidate at Stanford finds that young Pacific bluefin tuna are still arriving in California carrying two of Fukushima’s signature radioisotopes, cesium-134 and cesium-137. [Stanford Report](http://news.stanford.edu/news/2013/march/bluefin-tuna-secrets-030413.html) > [@](#): > > ABC News > May 29, 2012 > Those looking for evidence of the March 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan may need search no further than their next plate of sushi, Stanford University researchers report. > The researchers tested 15 Pacific bluefin tuna that had migrated from Japan to the California coast and found that the levels of radioactive cesium in these fish were 10 times higher than those found in bluefin tuna from the years before the disaster. [http://www.infowars.com/california-tuna-have-high-levels-of-radioactive-cesium/](http://www.infowars.com/california-tuna-have-high-levels-of-radioactive-cesium/) Forbes say nothing to worry about. > **[Fukushima Radiation In Pacific Tuna Is Equal To One Twentieth Of A Banana](https://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2013/11/16/fukushima-radiation-in-pacific-tuna-is-equal-to-one-twentieth-of-a-banana/)** > > I've written several times here about the amount of radiation that the Fukushima disaster has spewed into the environment. And I'm always rather puzzled by a subset of the comments on such pieces. There seems to be a group of people convinced that... Now here’s a realistic site about radiation in sea life > **[Buy your Canned Tuna, Now?](https://modernsurvivalblog.com/nuclear/buy-your-canned-tuna-now/)** > > Radioactive Tuna has been found in California and has been confirmed to be contaminated from the Fukushima Japan nuclear disaster. Hahah oh Fukushima, the disaster that never stops giving ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2013, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/270 "2013-12-30T20:35:28Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > [http://www.infowars.com/california-tuna-have-high-levels-of-radioactive-cesium/](http://www.infowars.com/california-tuna-have-high-levels-of-radioactive-cesium/) One of these things is not like the others. One of these things just doesn’t belong. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/271 "2013-12-31T01:50:30Z")
I tried to read the story in that link, but it was cut off at the end. It said… > [@](#): > > Before you swear off your maguro nigiri, it’s important to realize that the levels of radiation the researchers found from the cesium in the tuna were exceedingly low – about 30 times less than the amount of radiation given off by By what? ETA: One also notes the solecism “thirty times less,” a sloppy way of putting it. This is generally interpreted to mean “one thirtieth the amount.” Newswriters ought to swear off this clumsy construction. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/272 "2013-12-31T02:00:43Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > By what? Probably a banana. Or maybe uranium. Those are both used to compare to radioactive cesium 134 and 137. Which is one of those clever little scientific frauds people use to try and play down any risk from radiation from reactor meltdowns, melt through and a constant leaking into the Pacific ocean. They compare cesium, which emits gamma rays, to natural radioactive substances. Neither of which radiate gamma. It’s just one of the many ways to say, “Move along folks, nothing to see here”. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/273 "2013-12-31T02:05:07Z")
> [@](#): > > about 30 times less than the amount of radiation given off by other common, naturally occurring elements in the tuna we eat. > **[How Fukushima May Show Up in Your Sushi](https://www.yahoo.com/news/blogs/abc-blogs/fukushima-may-show-sushi-190041733--abc-news-health.html)** > > Those looking for evidence of the March 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan may need search no further than their next plate of sushi, Stanford University researchers report. The researchers tested 15 Pacific bluefin tuna that had... So, like I said, it’s probably Potassium (40K) they are ‘comparing’ with. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/274 "2013-12-31T02:23:33Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > [http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/fukushima-may-show-sushi-190041733--abc-news-health.html](http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/fukushima-may-show-sushi-190041733--abc-news-health.html) > > So, like I said, it’s probably Potassium (40K) they are ‘comparing’ with. Yeah, they should be totally raising a stink about this fish that is in no way more dangerous to anyone than any other tuna. Damn the man for totally burying this vital information! Damn him! ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/275 "2014-01-01T00:04:06Z")
[The latest.](http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_round_up/2217953/fukushima_meltdown_mystery_steam_rising_over_reactor_3.html) ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/276 "2014-01-01T01:41:12Z")
> [@](#): > > And now fresh plumes of steam have been seen coming out the structure. These have now been confirmed by Tepco, the owner of the nuclear plant, from 19th December onwards. The company believes the steam is coming from the fifth floor of the building. > > However it does not know the cause of the steam. Lethal levels of radiation and the physical damage to the structure have so far made entry and inspection impossible. > **[Fukushima meltdown? Mystery steam rising over Reactor 3](https://theecologist.org/2013/dec/31/fukushima-meltdown-mystery-steam-rising-over-reactor-3)** > > Unexplained plumes of radioactive steam have been rising from Fukushima's Reactor Building 3, Could a major meltdown be on the way? And once again, it’s somehow impossible to actually fucking measure what is in the steam. Like, if there is radiation leaking into the atmosphere. They are like, “What could it be?”. Just like when it was steaming away for weeks after the explosion that blew the reactor containment building to a mangled wreck. Dump water on it. That seems to be the last resort when reactor goes tits up. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/277 "2014-01-01T01:46:25Z")
Oh, and happy new year. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/278 "2014-01-01T01:53:15Z")
Looks like the thread title is spot on. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/279 "2014-01-01T06:28:43Z")
How many people have died due to Fukushima? Has it passed the death toll of a [single oil tanker explosion](http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/death-toll-in-lac-megantic-disaster-now-set-at-47-1.1374099) that killed 47? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282/280 "2014-01-01T06:52:40Z")
Heck, this thread must have a pretty high death toll by now. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fukushima-still-melting-down-still-a-nuclear-disaster/670282.md?page=15)