Fukushima update: Emergency evacuation of workers ordered after Reactor No. 3 emits grayish smoke

Monday, March 21, 2011 by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger Editor of NaturalNews.com (See all articles...) Tags: Fukushima, evacuation, health news

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(NaturalNews) Here's the latest on the Fukushima nuclear power plant incident in Japan:

• Releases of radiation from the Fukushima nuclear power plant are "now significant and continuing" said Andre-Claude Lacoste, said the head of France's Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN). (http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/A...)

• A "grayish smoke" cloud was observed coming from the roof of Reactor No. 3, causing an evacuation of all the workers there while Japanese authorities figure out if it's safe to return the workers to the site. It was called an "alarming setback" and provides further evidence of a worsening problem with Reactor No. 3 (where the MOX plutonium fuel is stored). (http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2011/0...)

• Radioactive contamination has now likely reached to a 100km radius around the Fukushima power plant.

• WHO admits that the radiation leaks from Fukushima are far worse than what the public has so far been told (http://www.speroforum.com/a/50605/WHO-Contam...).

• Power cables have so far been physically rigged to all six reactors, but only one or two coolant pumps are working so far.

• Abnormal levels of radiation continue to be found in Japanese food and milk products.

• The World Bank reports that Japan will need to spend $235 billion to rebuild after the Fukushima disaster. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/japan_ea...) Note: Japan currently owns over $800 billion in U.S. debt and may start selling off some of that debt to pay for its rebuilding efforts.

• Two of the six reactors are now considered placed in "cold shutdown," meaning they pose very little risk of further escalations. Reactor No. 3, on the other hand, still poses a threat of what experts are now calling "re-criticality." (A fuel rod meltdown.)

More updates to be posted here on NaturalNews.com throughout the week.