Japan is considering spraying water and boric acid over a stricken nuclear plant in a desperate measure to contain radiation after officials said many fuel rods were damaged, in an escalating crisis caused by last week's earthquake and tsunami.
Masami Nishimura, a spokesman for Japan's nuclear safety agency, said the plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO), came up with the measures after a string of explosions and fires at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant.
The latest fire broke out at a reactor early on Wednesday, a day after the power plant emitted a burst of radiation that panicked an already edgy Japan following Friday's massive earthquake and tsunami that is estimated to have killed more than 10,000 people.
Hajimi Motujuku, a spokesman for TEPCO, said the outer housing of the containment vessel at the No 4 unit at the complex caught fire.
On Tuesday, a fire broke out in the same reactor's fuel storage pond - an area where used nuclear fuel is kept cool - causing radioactivity to be released into the atmosphere. TEPCO said the new blaze erupted because the initial fire had not been fully extinguished.
Masami Nishimura, a spokesman for Japan's nuclear safety agency, said the plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO), came up with the measures after a string of explosions and fires at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant.
The latest fire broke out at a reactor early on Wednesday, a day after the power plant emitted a burst of radiation that panicked an already edgy Japan following Friday's massive earthquake and tsunami that is estimated to have killed more than 10,000 people.
Hajimi Motujuku, a spokesman for TEPCO, said the outer housing of the containment vessel at the No 4 unit at the complex caught fire.
On Tuesday, a fire broke out in the same reactor's fuel storage pond - an area where used nuclear fuel is kept cool - causing radioactivity to be released into the atmosphere. TEPCO said the new blaze erupted because the initial fire had not been fully extinguished.
About three hours after the latest blaze erupted, Japan's nuclear safety agency said flames could no longer be seen at Unit 4. But it was unable to confirm that the blaze had been put out, and clouds of white smoke were billowing from the reactor, according to live video footage of the plant.
Also on Wednesday, Japan's nuclear safety agency said 70% of the nuclear fuel rods may have been damaged at another Fukushima Dai-ichi reactor that was first stricken last week, triggering the crisis. Japan's national news agency, Kyodo, said 33% of the fuel rods at a second reactor were also damaged.
The troubles have been caused by overheating of the reactors, which have lost their cooling ability because of damage to equipment from the earthquake and tsunami. Excessive heating will lead to a meltdown of the reactor and release hazardous radiation.
Boric acid is "important because it captures radiation and helps prevent radiation from leaking," said Nishimura, the safety agency spokesman.
The radiation leak caused the government to order 140,000 people living within 20 miles of the plant to seal themselves indoors to avoid exposure, and authorities declared a ban on commercial air traffic through the area. Worries about radiation rippled through Tokyo and other areas far beyond that cordon. The stock market plunged for a second straight day, dropping 10% on Tuesday. However, the market soared more than 6% in Wednesday morning trading.
Also on Wednesday, Japan's nuclear safety agency said 70% of the nuclear fuel rods may have been damaged at another Fukushima Dai-ichi reactor that was first stricken last week, triggering the crisis. Japan's national news agency, Kyodo, said 33% of the fuel rods at a second reactor were also damaged.
The troubles have been caused by overheating of the reactors, which have lost their cooling ability because of damage to equipment from the earthquake and tsunami. Excessive heating will lead to a meltdown of the reactor and release hazardous radiation.
Boric acid is "important because it captures radiation and helps prevent radiation from leaking," said Nishimura, the safety agency spokesman.
The radiation leak caused the government to order 140,000 people living within 20 miles of the plant to seal themselves indoors to avoid exposure, and authorities declared a ban on commercial air traffic through the area. Worries about radiation rippled through Tokyo and other areas far beyond that cordon. The stock market plunged for a second straight day, dropping 10% on Tuesday. However, the market soared more than 6% in Wednesday morning trading.
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