Nuclear probe detects high contamination

A draft investigation report into the 2011 Fukushima nuclear meltdown, adopted by Japanese nuclear regulators Wednesday, says it has detected dangerously high levels of radioactive contamination at two of the three reactors, adding to concerns about decommissioning challenges.

The interim report said data collected by investigators showed that the sealing plugs sitting atop the No. 2 and 3 reactor containment vessels were as fatally contaminated as nuclear fuel debris that had melted and fell to the bottom of the reactors after the March 2011 tsunami and earthquake.

The No. 1 reactor lid was less contaminated, presumably because the plug was slightly knocked out of place and disfigured due to the impact of the hydrogen explosion, the report said.

Nuclear Regulation Commission Chairman Toyoshi Fuketa called the findings “extremely serious“and said they would make melted fuel removal “more difficult.” He said figuring out how to remove the lids would be a major challenge.