Life on a little urban homestead in the making, with ideas for self-sufficiency, Permaculture, DIYing, organic gardening, food preservation, Chicken keeping, cookery, crafts, thrifting and more...

Jul 23, 2013

New Danger From Fukushima- Steam & Contaminated Water, Facebook Reader Question, 300th Blog Post Giveaway!!!



I was reading this article Fukushima Contaminated Steam (text below) and it reminded me of my worries when this first happened. Nuclear accidents never happen in a vacuum. The article states-

On July 17 and 18 steam was observed rising from Fukushima Daiichi Reactor 3, raising concerns that the damaged reactor's nuclear reaction had started again. If this has happened, another large release of radioactive material from the planet is probable. Then, yesterday, Tokyo Electric Power admitted that radioactive groundwater had leaked from the plant into the sea. Levels of cancer-causing cesium 134 have increased by 110 percent in the past few days. So far, Tepco has not been able to explain this increase, but it would be consistent with new nuclear reactions taking place in the reactor's core.

Since 2011, low levels of cesium 134 have been found in blue fin tuna being caught off the California coast. In addition, seaweeds along the coast have been discovered to contain concentrations of radiation From Fukushima. Tokyo Electric Power has maintained a policy of informing the public as little as possible about the extent of the disaster. The Fukushima meltdowns took place after a massive tsunami swept the power plant complex in 2011. Tokyo Electric Power had received permission from planners to place its diesel backup generators at ground level instead of building them onto raised platforms, despite the fact that the area was a known risk for tsunamis. As a result of this, the plants lost backup power and went critical after the disaster. Since then, it has never been clear how much radiation has actually been leaked from them.

Are Californians at risk if they eat blue fin tuna? Unlike heavier radioactive elements, Cesium-134 does not quickly sink to the bottom of the sea, but remains in the water column almost indefinitely. Blue fin tuna spawn in Japanese waters, then swim across the Pacific. By the time they reach California waters, any radioactive elements they may contain will have been concentrated by the amount of time the fish have been in the water.


Facebook Reader Question-
Here's a question for my readers- would you like to see a Facebook page that is for Little Homestead? I have mixed views on the lack of privacy on FB, and their heavily automated system. Would you like to see that, or are you okay following the way you do? I'm always looking for better ways to bring more readers in!


300th Blog Post Giveaway!-
After a wait here's the new giveaway, to be randomly selected by my hubby. It's a gift pack that includes-
a blank journal, 2 new French vintage-style cloth shopping bags, some other fun goodies, including edible ones! Continental U.S. only, sorry. Here's all you have to do-
*Put a link back to this blog on your blog (if you have one) and post here that you did.
*Leave a comment about what you like best about my blog! I'll announce the winner in the next week. So check back!

                      My homesteady wreath I made with burlap and my Carhartt kerchief

9 comments:

Michelle said...

Thanks for the info. I wouldn't be eating tuna for a while. I already have a link back to you. I have you on blogs I am following. That way people can see when you post something new. I would love to enter your giveaway.

Unknown said...

Thanks Michelle!

Candy C. said...

Wow, that is scary about the radiation still leaking out of that plant. I guess we aren't that far from Japan when the ocean currents are involved.
I have a FB page but only so I can wish family happy birthday and stuff! LOL!! I much prefer blogs to FB.

Unknown said...

Thanks. Yes the ocean always keeps moving....

Unknown said...

Candy if you want in on the giveaway ...

Susan said...

It is such a small world - it's easy to forget that we can be affected by something so far away. And congratulations on your 300th post! I always find such interesting (and delicious) information on your blog!

Unknown said...

Thanks!

Debbie said...

I'd rather just read your blog. I personally stay away from Facebook. Interesting info about radiation, thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Thanks Debbie.

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