I (mistakenly?) assumed the reader would make his/her own deductions from the data.
It's fine to let people draw their own conclusions, but some readers don't know
how to interpret the data. 11.2μSv is not an insignificant amount by any means, but even though 11.4μSv/hr is equivalent to 100,000μSv/yr by amount, it's only when you've reached the latter that there is a statistical chance of a part of a population developing health problems. It seems that the western media is particularly susceptible to this mistake; I don't know if there's something lost in the translation or if some journalists are intentionally trying to present a more dire situation.
"[If the worst case scenario of the Fukushima 1 Nuclear Power Plant accident comes true,] we must consider the possibility that eastern Japan will be ruined."
Kan reportedly has a degree in applied physics, but has no real world experience related to reactors. I don't think his statement (or anyone else's opinion) has anything to do with optimism or pessimism; everyone is simply trying to be realistic about the situation.
Of course we cannot deny the possibility that everything could go wrong and a significant portion of Fukushima decleared a dead-zone. That possibility exists alongside that which nothing else goes wrong and most of the radiation that has leaked disappears relatively quickly. Without an earthquake or tsunami, the possibility of a radiological disaster still exists even when a plant is operating normally (see TMI), no matter how small it is compared to the possibility that nothing goes wrong.
Also, something interesting someone posted on IRC:
Faux news strikes again.. they are unbelievably ignorant.
That's actually a video to help children to understand the situation, since trying to explain nuclear physics is too difficult for them. Poo is a seemingly appropriate analogy, since it easy for them to visualize the problem (as opposed to talking about atoms and electrons, etc).
Please post news about the Tsunami relief efforts.
It's estimated that some 380,000 people are being sheltered in over 2,000 locations (in the Tohoku area, not including those who have left Fukushima out of radiation concerns), with several locations sheltering over 1,000 people.
Some shelters now have electricity by way of generators, but fuel is extremely limited.
The Tohoku region is now being hit with a blizzard. Temperatures around freezing (0°C) in many cities. Most people are sheltered in schools, which were built only to be used during the day (warmed by sunlight, not much insulation, no heating, etc). In an effort to use gas heaters, survivors are now going out during the day to siphon gas from cars found amidst the wreckage. Most shelters can only afford to run heaters for 30min~2hrs each day, and will still run out soon.
There have already been multiple deaths at many shelters. Causes are due mainly to the extreme cold, and lack of medication (to control blood pressure, diabetes, etc). Children and elderly are also particularly susceptible to dehydration, and water is still in short supply at most shelters. There are no masks, and since some people have the flu (or other airborne sickness) and the shelters are cramped, there is fear of widespread infection (some shelters have already set up quarantines). There is also a shortage of diapers for babies, which is not only dangerous for the child, but also poses health hazards for everyone else because there is no garbage collection/disposal.
Lots of organizations are already working around the clock to get supplies to the shelters. Construction crews are busy rebuilding roads. Fuel companies have pulled together 500 tankers (and another 900 trucks) to transport fuel. Whole warehouses in unaffected regions are now stocked with food and supplies. The trick is getting those supplies out to the shelters quickly. Most of Japan uses its rail network to transport cargo, but getting to the shelters requires trucks. Since most roads are still badly damaged, a number of shelters are relying on air transport (helicopters).
6,911 deceased
10,692 reported missing
Over 20,000 status unconfirmed
386,739 living in shelters
2,182+ shelters
Additionally, the rolling blackouts are a serious problem for the areas
not affected by the earthquake/tsunami. Hospitals and other emergency locations are not excluded from the blackouts (they lie on the same elecricity grid). Doctors have to carefully schedule appointments around blackouts (eg: dialysis treatments, which requires electricity), and are forced to use backup generators every day to maintain life support equipment. Of course, gas stations around the entire region are empty because everyone else is freaking out and stocking up, leaving very little for hospitals and ambulances. During the second day of blackouts, there has been at least one fatality: electricity to traffic lights were cut off, causing a truck/lorry to run into a woman on a motorbike at an intersection; she died shortly thereafter. Blackouts are still expected to continue throughout April.
