ID :
171778
Wed, 03/30/2011 - 08:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/171778
The shortlink copeid
U.S. Official Calls Plutonium at Fukushima Plant "Not Significant"
Washington (Jiji Press) - The levels of plutonium discovered in soil at a quake-hit nuclear power plant in Japan are "not significant at this point," a senior U.S. Department of Energy official said Tuesday.
It is "still debatable exactly what those levels were derived from," Peter Lyons, acting assistant energy secretary, said at the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
His comments came after trace amounts of plutonium were found in soil samples taken from the troubled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant in northeastern Japan.
Lyons also said that the department is ready to send "radiation hardened" robots to help Japan regain control of the plant.
The robots will allow radiation levels at the plant to be measured without posing risks to workers' health.
He also said that long-term cooling of the plant's reactors and spent fuel pools is "essential during this period." The cooling functions have yet to be "adequately restored to date," he said.
It is "still debatable exactly what those levels were derived from," Peter Lyons, acting assistant energy secretary, said at the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
His comments came after trace amounts of plutonium were found in soil samples taken from the troubled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant in northeastern Japan.
Lyons also said that the department is ready to send "radiation hardened" robots to help Japan regain control of the plant.
The robots will allow radiation levels at the plant to be measured without posing risks to workers' health.
He also said that long-term cooling of the plant's reactors and spent fuel pools is "essential during this period." The cooling functions have yet to be "adequately restored to date," he said.
