Japanese disaster raises questions over nuclear future

Undoubtedly, the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan have raised questions over the safety of nuclear power plants. Certainly, these incidents have taught the world some lessons regarding the use of nuclear power in close proximity to populated areas. The situation might be worse than the present and people might suffer due to radioactivity. Many people might be displaced for an unlimited period of time. Now, the real question is whether nuclear power is safe? Surely, it is not when it is situated close to populated areas. The other question is associated with the "risk management" in the event of such type of disaster. Many precautions were in place but back up power system was needed there and moreover it is a 40-year old plant and that's why more safety precautions were needed (which has been discussed in International media). Again, Japan's struggle to control radioactive leaks from its damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant may cause other countries to pause their initiatives of building nuclear power plants. The situation is so awful that German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced the temporary shutdown of seven of Germany's 17 nuclear power plants for more thorough safety inspections. Switzerland has already suspended some approvals for building nuclear facilities. Thailand is giving free potassium iodide pills to citizens travelling to Japan in the hopes that the pills will slow down the effects of radiation on the thyroid glands. At Fukushima, engineers have been working round-the-clock inside an evacuation zone to contain the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl, Ukraine, in 1986. They have been spraying the coastal complex with sea-water so fuel rods will not overheat and emit radiation. Hopes for a more permanent solution depend on connecting electricity cables to reactivate on-site water pumps at each of the reactors. If the pumps cannot restart, drastic and lengthy measures may be needed like burying the plant in sand and concrete. Even if the situation is contained, cases of contaminated vegetables, dust, milk and water are already stoking anxiety despite Japanese officials' assurances that radiation levels are not dangerous. Making any solid assessment at this stage is quite impossible but already Japan's nuclear crisis seems like a serious setback for humanity's attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in electricity generation. There are of course the ill health effects of radiation releases from Japan's stricken reactors and this radiation might cross the border and affect the people but these are consequential losses which cannot be measured immediately and directly. Another impact could be psychological -stress and fear. This did not take place in a developing country that had just built its first plant and hadn't had time to develop a proper safety culture but this took place in Japan, one of the wealthiest, most experienced, and most safety-conscious nations on earth (though one that also has had a history of safety issues that were covered up and not reported to the regulators in a timely way). Although, these were old reactor designs and the new reactors people are considering building today would be safer but whether that logic will work or not is a matter to observe. The disaster is not as devastating as Chernobyl so far but the worst since Chernobyl. Thus, this nuclear panic might be increased. For advocate of nuclear power, the Japan accident may speed discussions over new research in this area. But with the emergence of a higher standard for safety, can nuclear power possibly overcome the doubts raised by the Japan crisis. It remains to be seen what impact this will have on the future of nuclear power in Japan, and the future of nuclear power elsewhere. The writer can be reached at e-mail: shafiqul10032@yahoo.com