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Their bodies were found Wednesday and required work to remove radioactive materials from them, the utility said. The plant is continuing to release high-level radiation in Japan's worst ever nuclear crisis.

http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/04/82823.html/

... here are pictures of the operators of those machines:
http://english.kyodonews.jp/photos/2011/04/84830.html

and the remote control machinery at work:
http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/news/110311/images/110411_1f_system1_8.jpg
http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/news/110311/images/110411_1f_system1_7.jpg
http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/news/110311/images/110411_1f_system1_5.jpg
http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/news/110311/images/110411_1f_system1_1.jpg

Maybe, just maybe, they found that the best tool for what they wanted to do is this robot made in America?

http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/04/85736.html

OPINION: How to minimize consequences of the Fukushima catastrophe
By Alexey V. Yablokov

The analysis of the health impact of radioactive land contamination by the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, made by Professor Chris Busby (the European Committee of Radiation Risk) based on official Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology data, has shown that over the next 50 years it would be possible to have around 400,000 additional cancer patients within a 200-kilometer radius of the plant.

I find that extremely unlikely since the radiation readings beginning at 20 km south of Fukushima Daiichi are barely above background levels. Now, based on the trend of the readings done around Fukushima Daiichi, I believe that the Japanese government instead of going into a evacuation zone based in a radius from the plant, will make a evacuation from the zone going up to 60 km from Fukushima Daiichi northwest 10-15 km wide, since only inside this polygon are radiation readings above 2 Sv/h. The highest reading outside the current evacuation zone are at reading point 32 in Namie town, at 28.6 Sv/h, around 32 km northwest from Fukushima Daiichi.

The last available reading from Fukushima:
http://www.mext.go.jp/component/english/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2011/04/18/1305090_041816.pdf

I was wrong about iodine-131. Thank you for the correction.

OTOH, there has been a lot of cesium-137 from Fukushima detected. The levels generally track the levels of iodine-131 when both are measured. For example, the IAEA said:

On 12th April, deposition of both iodine-131 and cesium-137 was detected in 7 and 6 prefectures respectively. The values reported for iodine-131 ranged from 1.6 to 460 Bq/m2 and for cesium-137 from 31 to 700 Bq/m2. The highest deposition was observed in the Ibaraki prefecture.

There is also concern about radioactive cesium in mushrooms and in fish although I have not been able to confirm how much of this is cesium-137. In fact, trace amounts of cesium-137, assumed to be from Fukushima, have been found in milk in Hawaii and Vermont.

The NEA page about Chernobyl I linked to said:

The early estimate for fuel material released to the environment was 3 ± 1.5% (IA86). This estimate was later revised to 3.5 ± 0.5% (Be91). This corresponds to the emission of 6 t of fragmented fuel.

I suppose it is possible that all the fuel was sent into the atmosphere for a moment and then 96.5% fell back down and was later covered with concrete.

After the Chernobyl accident we were assured by the nuclear industry and regulators/promoters that BWRs such as the ones at Fukushima would never release radioactivity into the environment on the scale of the Chernobyl accident because of the containment vessel. TEPCO said the Fukushima release might surpass the release at Chernobyl. I believe the post-Chernobyl reassurances were given earnestly but it is clear now they were completely wrong.

I agree with you that a major difference between Chernobyl and Fukushima is that at Chernobyl the release was almost entirely airborne while at Fukushima it is likely that a lot of the radioactivity released is leaching into the water they are pouring on to keep the reactors cool (to prevent further meltdowns and possible catastrophic hydrogen explosions). I was actually warning people about this difference over a week ago, well before the direct leak into the ocean was detected.

Today it was reported that:

... the water level of radiation-contaminated water in the tunnel-like trench at Unit 2 dropped by 4.3 cm Wednesday morning after Tepco started pumping lethally radioactive water from its flooded turbine room ...

If this is true then it is extremely troubling. It means not only that the tunnel and turbine building are connected hydrologically, it is quite possible that there has been a constant flow of highly radioactive water (HRW) from the reactor building to the turbine building to the tunnel and then into the ground. Draining the turbine building stopped the flow into the tunnel and the rate the tunnel is emptying is the rate the HRW has been constantly leaking into the ground from that tunnel.

My point is that the upward dispersal at Chernobyl made it relatively easy to assess the total amount of radioactivity released while at Fukushima, it is hard to get a reasonable upper bound on the release because they simply don't know how much HRW is leaking directly (or indirectly) into the ground nor do they know its concentration. At the very least, I imagine one would have to carefully study the hydrology of the land under the reactors and drill a bunch of core samples. It's a tough problem.

BTW the Japan Times article I linked to gave the most detailed information (I have found) about what is happening in the reactor buildings to date.

Another concern is all the radioactivity getting into the ocean. Once again, it is difficult to get a good estimate of the total amount. It was reported that fish were caught 35 km from Fukushima that had levels of radioactive Cesium 25 times above the legal limit. For humans, (and other animals), Cesium is the nasty one, especially Cesium-137. While radioactive isotopes from Chernobyl did make it into the ocean, it was never at this level. In fact, the Chernobyl release allowed us to measure the time delay between the peak of Chernobyl radioactivity in the ocean and the peak in the fish populations. For fish high on the food chain the delay was six months. So even if Fukushima instantly stopped leaking, we would still have to wait another five or six months before the radioactivity in important fish populations peaked.

IOW, I agree that Fukushima is a whole different ballgame compared to Chernobyl but I think it is way too early to know wh

The NEA page about Chernobyl I linked to said:

The early estimate for fuel material released to the environment was 3 ± 1.5% (IA86). This estimate was later revised to 3.5 ± 0.5% (Be91). This corresponds to the emission of 6 t of fragmented fuel.

I suppose it is possible that all the fuel was sent into the atmosphere for a moment and then 96.5% fell back down and was later covered with concrete.

After the Chernobyl accident we were assured by the nuclear industry and regulators/promoters that BWRs such as the ones at Fukushima would never release radioactivity into the environment on the scale of the Chernobyl accident because of the containment vessel. TEPCO said the Fukushima release might surpass the release at Chernobyl. I believe the post-Chernobyl reassurances were given earnestly but it is clear now they were completely wrong.

I agree with you that a major difference between Chernobyl and Fukushima is that at Chernobyl the release was almost entirely airborne while at Fukushima it is likely that a lot of the radioactivity released is leaching into the water they are pouring on to keep the reactors cool (to prevent further meltdowns and possible catastrophic hydrogen explosions). I was actually warning people about this difference over a week ago, well before the direct leak into the ocean was detected.

Today it was reported that:

... the water level of radiation-contaminated water in the tunnel-like trench at Unit 2 dropped by 4.3 cm Wednesday morning after Tepco started pumping lethally radioactive water from its flooded turbine room ...

If this is true then it is extremely troubling. It means not only that the tunnel and turbine building are connected hydrologically, it is quite possible that there has been a constant flow of highly radioactive water (HRW) from the reactor building to the turbine building to the tunnel and then into the ground. Draining the turbine building stopped the flow into the tunnel and the rate the tunnel is emptying is the rate the HRW has been constantly leaking into the ground from that tunnel.

My point is that the upward dispersal at Chernobyl made it relatively easy to assess the total amount of radioactivity released while at Fukushima, it is hard to get a reasonable upper bound on the release because they simply don't know how much HRW is leaking directly (or indirectly) into the ground nor do they know its concentration. At the very least, I imagine one would have to carefully study the hydrology of the land under the reactors and drill a bunch of core samples. It's a tough problem.

BTW the Japan Times article I linked to gave the most detailed information (I have found) about what is happening in the reactor buildings to date.

Another concern is all the radioactivity getting into the ocean. Once again, it is difficult to get a good estimate of the total amount. It was reported that fish were caught 35 km from Fukushima that had levels of radioactive Cesium 25 times above the legal limit. For humans, (and other animals), Cesium is the nasty one, especially Cesium-137. While radioactive isotopes from Chernobyl did make it into the ocean, it was never at this level. In fact, the Chernobyl release allowed us to measure the time delay between the peak of Chernobyl radioactivity in the ocean and the peak in the fish populations. For fish high on the food chain the delay was six months. So even if Fukushima instantly stopped leaking, we would still have to wait another five or six months before the radioactivity in important fish populations peaked.

IOW, I agree that Fukushima is a whole different ballgame compared to Chernobyl but I think it is way too early to know wh

In your old link. From TEPCO:
http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp-com/release/11041202-e.html

Press Release (Apr 12,2011)
Fire at the sampling equipment at the water discharge channel, Units 1-4, Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (2nd release)

At approximately 6:38 AM, April 12th, fire has been found at the
distribution switchboard containing batteries located in the sampling
equipment switchbox situated close to the south water discharge channel
for Units 1-4. The self defense fire fighting team conducted the fire
fighting at an early stage. At the same time, at approximately 6:45 AM,
we reported to the Futaba fire authorities.
As a result of the fire fighting, it is confirmed that the fire has been
under control without fire or smoke.

There is no impact on the external release of radioactive substances or on
the cooling capability of the reactor from this incident. There has been
no change on the monitoring figures of the surrounding environment.
We will continue monitoring the status of the plant and the surrounding
environment around the Power Station. We will investigate the cause in
detail.
(Previously announced)

The Futaba fire authorities confirmed fire extinguishment on site survey
at 9:12 AM, April 12th. We will investigate the cause in detail.

TEPCO did many things wrong in the early hours from the disaster, but they are very straightforward now and I have my highest respect for whoever was the manager that ordained the evacuation from site when in the fire in unit 4 the radiation surged to very dangerous levels. He didn't requested from his men suicide heroism like the russians in Chernobyl.
Kyodo has TEPCO's pictures of just when the tsunami hit the station:
http://english.kyodonews.jp/photos/2011/04/84500.html

Another interesting piece from Kyodo, that highlights the value of prevention and emergency preparedness:
http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/04/84552.html

OPINION: What worked and what did not: views from the field
By Rajib Shaw
TOKYO, April 11, Kyodo ...
In Kamaishi, Iwate prefecture, an eight-story tsunami evacuation building stood undamaged very close to the shoreline. On the hazard map, distributed by the city government, this building was designated and marked as an evacuation building with clear instruction that people need to evacuate higher than the fourth floor. What is more interesting is that, on March 3 (also the day of the 1933 Showa Sanriku earthquake and tsunami) an evacuation drill was performed with local residents and school children. Therefore, tsunami awareness was rather fresh in their minds and people took shelter in evacuation buildings and on a nearby evacuation road (a pre-designated road on the nearby mountain with access stairs), immediately when they felt the earthquake. This shows the importance of evacuation drills and disaster education. ...
For early warning systems to be effective, a proper risk communication mechanism, which links both information provider and receiver, is needed. In the March 11 disaster, the tsunami warning and tsunami advisory were issued within three minutes after the event.

The warning was broadcast though the Japan Meteorological Agency webpage, television, radio, social networking media, and also through announcements from the town and city offices. However, in several places, init

In your old link. From TEPCO:
http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp-com/release/11041202-e.html

Press Release (Apr 12,2011)
Fire at the sampling equipment at the water discharge channel, Units 1-4, Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (2nd release)

At approximately 6:38 AM, April 12th, fire has been found at the
distribution switchboard containing batteries located in the sampling
equipment switchbox situated close to the south water discharge channel
for Units 1-4. The self defense fire fighting team conducted the fire
fighting at an early stage. At the same time, at approximately 6:45 AM,
we reported to the Futaba fire authorities.
As a result of the fire fighting, it is confirmed that the fire has been
under control without fire or smoke.

There is no impact on the external release of radioactive substances or on
the cooling capability of the reactor from this incident. There has been
no change on the monitoring figures of the surrounding environment.
We will continue monitoring the status of the plant and the surrounding
environment around the Power Station. We will investigate the cause in
detail.
(Previously announced)

The Futaba fire authorities confirmed fire extinguishment on site survey
at 9:12 AM, April 12th. We will investigate the cause in detail.

TEPCO did many things wrong in the early hours from the disaster, but they are very straightforward now and I have my highest respect for whoever was the manager that ordained the evacuation from site when in the fire in unit 4 the radiation surged to very dangerous levels. He didn't requested from his men suicide heroism like the russians in Chernobyl.
Kyodo has TEPCO's pictures of just when the tsunami hit the station:
http://english.kyodonews.jp/photos/2011/04/84500.html

Another interesting piece from Kyodo, that highlights the value of prevention and emergency preparedness:
http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/04/84552.html

OPINION: What worked and what did not: views from the field
By Rajib Shaw
TOKYO, April 11, Kyodo ...
In Kamaishi, Iwate prefecture, an eight-story tsunami evacuation building stood undamaged very close to the shoreline. On the hazard map, distributed by the city government, this building was designated and marked as an evacuation building with clear instruction that people need to evacuate higher than the fourth floor. What is more interesting is that, on March 3 (also the day of the 1933 Showa Sanriku earthquake and tsunami) an evacuation drill was performed with local residents and school children. Therefore, tsunami awareness was rather fresh in their minds and people took shelter in evacuation buildings and on a nearby evacuation road (a pre-designated road on the nearby mountain with access stairs), immediately when they felt the earthquake. This shows the importance of evacuation drills and disaster education. ...
For early warning systems to be effective, a proper risk communication mechanism, which links both information provider and receiver, is needed. In the March 11 disaster, the tsunami warning and tsunami advisory were issued within three minutes after the event.

The warning was broadcast though the Japan Meteorological Agency webpage, television, radio, social networking media, and also through announcements from the town and city offices. However, in several places, init

I'm not a nuclear engineer, but why can't they remove the fuel rods instead of trying to cool them on site?

TEPCO has reported that a significant percentage of the fuel rods have been damaged. The hydrogen explosions indicate the damage was actual melting. Melted fuel rods are causing all the problems and no one even knows where the melted fuel has ended up.

The levels of radiation inside the reactor buildings was reported to be too large to measure. I believe this means much greater than one sievert per hour. It is quite possible people would be killed or incapacitated before they were able to do much good. There is too much debris in the reactor buildings (due to the explosions) to be able to send in robots.

They are flooding the reactors with hundreds of tons of water per day to keep them cool. A lot of this water is becoming highly radioactive, making it deadly and, if anything, the level of radioactivity in the water is even higher inside the reactor buildings.

Work to restore the primary cooling system on reactor #2 has been completely stymied for almost two weeks as they deal with the highly radioactive water that leaked into the turbine building. AFAIK there are no plans to send people into the reactor buildings. I think it is unlikely people will ever go back inside them.

To make a medical analogy, we are a medic under fire on a battlefield, and we are having trouble applying CPR to keep a soldier alive and you are suggesting we could solve all his problems by performing open heart surgery.

Well it does look like they have finally got this under control, at least for the most part.

Plugging one leak does not mean the situation is even close to being under control. Hidehiko Nishiyama, a spokesman for the Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, said:

... no further leakage has been detected from the pit. But there is a possibility that the water, which has lost an outlet, could show up from other areas of the plant.

The highly radioactive water is believed to have come from the No. 2 reactor core, where fuel rods have partially melted, and ended up in the pit. The pit is connected to the No. 2 reactor turbine building and an underground trench connected to the building, both of which were found to be filled with highly contaminated water.

Thousands of tons of highly radioactive water had already been found in many places outside the reactor buildings even before the direct leak into the ocean was discovered. Is there anything more substantial than crossed fingers and wishful thinking that makes you think the flow of highly radioactive water will halt now that they've plugged the direct outlet into the ocean?

In addition:

According to estimates by TEPCO announced Wednesday, 25 percent of the nuclear fuel rods have been damaged at the No. 3 reactor. The company earlier said that 70 percent of the No. 1 reactor's fuel rods and 30 percent of the No. 2 reactor's fuel rods have been damaged.

Nishiyama said past hydrogen explosions have likely occurred due to hydrogen accumulation caused by the reaction of melted fuel rods' zirconium with steam from the coolant water. But now there is concern that hydrogen could accumulate in the No. 1 reactor under a different process involving radiation-induced decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen.

The installation of billion dollar radiation shielding around the reactor buildings has to be delayed until at least September because, of the high level of radioactivity. In other words, they need to wait for the current levels of radioactivity to decay before it is safe enough to install radiation shielding. So, ISTM, the September date is optimistically assuming the ongoing contamination will magically stop. Yet, even if the shielding could be installed tomorrow:

Some experts were sceptical about the feasibility of the measure as the step would have only limited effects in blocking the release of radioactive substances.

That is because the bulk of the release of radioactivity is downward in the water, not upward into the air. The shielding story highlights the challenge they are up against. The level of radioactivity around the plants (and in the plants) is so high, it is impeding their efforts to control the amount of radioactivity escaping. For example, work to restore the primary cooling system for reactor #2 has been halted for almost two weeks because of the high levels of radiation in the turbine building. The radiation level, due to highly radioactive water in the building, is over one sievert per hour. So a worker hits their lifetime dose limit less than 15 minutes. Someone who lingers there for an 8 hour shift will die regardless of what treatment they receive. It's been reported that the level of radioactivity in reactor buildings 1, 2, and 3 is too high to measure.

They are pouring hundreds of tons of uncontaminated water onto (into?) the reactors every day to cool them. Thousands of tons of this water has come out contaminated with radioactivity and has flooded the turbine buildings, tunnels outside the buildings, and the ground. They don't know how the water is getting contaminated or the routes it is taking

The government has been reported that HIGHLY RADIOACTIVE WATER detected at the No. 2 reactor of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is due to a PARTIAL MELTDOWN OF FUEL RODS there, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Monday.

Emphasis added. Please don't panic. If you feel the highlighted words are over sensationalizing the situation then I suggest you address your concerns directly to the Japanese news media and the Japanese government.

I'll tell you what foot dragging. There still isn't proper road access to the site and the logistics in general are so bad that the workers are subsisting on incredibly small rations.

The accident started on the 11th. The linemen were gathered on the 14th, got to the site and started working on the 16th, at which date they completed the connection, whereupon they were promptly told that there was testing to do and they were to wait.

In the meantime, TEPCO management was spouting pious bullshit on how they were doing their utmost and refusing help from the Japanese gov't and the US military.

IAEA, and kyodo are useful in that sense.
http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/japan_nuclear_crisis/
http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/tsunamiupdate01.html

see: http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/03/78001.html

You are forgetting the thousands of dead, ruined infrastructure, oh and the exploding nuclear reactor buildings.

Right now we are at two reactors at one site, there are five or six other sites which were taken off line by this, one lost a turbine room, and all the others are on backup emergency water pumps too.

Katrina killed 1,836, they just found another 2,000 bodies in Japan - http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/03/77575.html

The day after Katrina the US military was out, but not in Louisiana because the Governor of that state didn't sign the papers the Pentagon and White House faxed to her. Without permission from a state's Governor the US military can't roll in and the DoD can't federalize the state Nation Guard.

The United States was hit by a disaster of this magnitude, actually a higher magnitude, in 1964, the position of fault lines makes all the difference.