Isnt it interesting that no one bothered to take a geiger counter with them, and all we hear of radiation levels is generic terms" Radiation levels are 'high' or 'low' meaning what?? So if this radiation decomposes fairly quickly as has been repeated over and over on the news and it is being detected clear across the pacific then I have to ask how high must it be around the site? You'd have thought by now someone would have hooked a meter and a camera up to a radio controlled helicopet (available at most any hobby shop) and flown it over the site..... unless they have something to hide?

Fear of radiation poisoning in Japan can start a mass emigration to nations with a safer environment. International high tech companies are already recruiting frightened Japanese scientists for bargain prices. But they have to pass a radiation level test before they are hired, nobody wants a nuclear contaminated employee.

I would say most of these technicians are on a suicide task. It will either catch them in a few months or years down the road.

If these pictures are not a reason to phase out nuclear reactors and seek clean and renewable alternative power sources, what will be? Candle

Amazing photos. Obviously the Fukushima-1 crisis has taken a terrible toll on the afflicted workers and residents, but for reasons that defy logic, I kind of wish I could be there too, smelling the steam and the ozone in these blacked-out corridors, listening to the mounting roar of a Geiger counter. Few people ever experience this kind of environment.

If you have ever worked with radiation, you would know that these gentlemen are wearing the proper protective clothing, respirators, and gloves. They would not enter the plant without a health physicist with them and radiation doses would have been determined before they were ever allowed in there. Yes, it is hazardous work, but with proper training and experience, it is not dangerous. I have been there and done that, and I have several T-shirts.

what a bunch of ignorant people posting here.

It's true...most people are ignorant (not having the knowledge) of radiation and it's effects. Here's a great chart to put things in perspective.

For example, note that if you lived near Fukushima and fled to Australia to get away from the radiation "danger" (as many reportedly did), you would have received 11 times the radiation dose on the flight than you would have if you stayed home.

Why do the press make such a big deal of this? Because it scares people and increases their ratings, of course. Look at the chart: the press tell the truth when they say that levels around the plant are higher than normal, but they don't tell you that they are way lower than flying in an airplane! (In an airplane, there is less atmosphere to shield you from cosmic radiation).

Another fun fact (from the chart again): if you're worried about the levels around Fukushima, best not move to, and live in, Denver, CO!

Sorry, the link didn't post (they must filter out URLs). I'll try again... just remove the spaces: www. xkcd. com /radiation/

The only thing hot on the Japanese market now is bottled water.