As if Japan wasn’t having enough problems, one of its nuclear facilities is in the process of meltdown. When the earthquake hit, it disrupted the nuclear reactors. The emergency cooling system, which submerges the nuclear rods in water to cool them down, failed, allowing the rods to heat up. This cracked the reactor’s casing, leaking radiation. This probably caused both explosions that occurred at the plant. The US plans on sending a generator to supply the needed power to the cooling system. This could be the next Chernobyl, where the nuclear reactors had to be completely covered in cement in 1986.
In the second explosion in Japan, 11 workers were injured. I think that the workers are very courageous to be there, trying to prevent radiation from leaking. Radiation was definitely leaked from the second explosion. Whether it was leaked during the first explosion is currently unknown. The workers will most likely die from the radiation, so they are doing all they can to save millions of others. People near the facility were evacuated and given iodine tablets, which keeps their bodies from absorbing radiation, to a point.
I think that what is happening in Japan is crazy. I think that the US is right to help them by sending money and a generator. I think that the US should continue to send support Japan. They need it. The people who think that the US shouldn’t send them help and money have no soul. I hope this situation turns for the better. My parents already contributed money to help Japan.
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/15/world/asia/15nuclear.html?_r=1
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8380718/Japan-nuclear-plant-meltdown-fears-after-explosion.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/11/AR2011031103673.html
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