Japan rocked with 8.9 earthquake.

[ChrisH]

February 2nd 2011
In Pictures: Inside the Chernobyl nuclear power plant

[pomtzu]

February 2nd 2011
In Pictures: Inside the Chernobyl nuclear power plant

Thanks for posting. I was surprised tho, to see that some work is going on inside the building. I thought no one could go anywhere the place.

I heard on the radio yesterday that only $49 million had been donated to the Red Cross so far. Sounds like a lot to me, but I guess that is a lot lower then historically donated in the 6 days following a major event like this.

I heard it said that it is due to the Japanese economy being what it is, since they are a big player in the world market. Compare that to Haiti, and it certainly does make sense. None the less, they still need help, and the donations so far have been pretty meager.

[smokey the elder]

I'm not sure why this is. Maybe because they're seen as a First World country, and wealthy. The US didn't get a lot of foreign donations after Katrina, for example. I don't think there's the push to donate like there was with Haiti. Who knows?

I see now that they are planning to entomb the reactors after all.

[Kirsten]

February 2nd 2011
In Pictures: Inside the Chernobyl nuclear power plant

Wow, these pictures are truly haunting!

[momoffuzzyfaces]

One thing that concerns me is they say that the radioactive stuff heading for the US won't hurt us. But what about the animals and fish? They are way smaller than humans. Will it hurt them? And will it harm any plant life? We do need safe food after all.

[Kirsten]

One thing that concerns me is they say that the radioactive stuff heading for the US won't hurt us. But what about the animals and fish? They are way smaller than humans. Will it hurt them? And will it harm any plant life? We do need safe food after all.

I just read that there was a higher radiation in California today.

I'm sure we'll have to be careful as far as the food is concerned, especially fish. After all, most of the fallout hit the Pacific, didn't it? I remember that in 1986, after Chernobyl, we weren't allowed to drink milk, and lots of our harvests had to be destroyed. The mushrooms in the south of Germany are still slightly radiated, same goes for the wild pigs in that area. And it's 25 years ago!

I'm also very worried about the wildlife in the affected areas.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I just read that there was a higher radiation in California today.

I'm sure we'll have to be careful as far as the food is concerned, especially fish. After all, most of the fallout hit the Pacific, didn't it? I remember that in 1986, after Chernobyl, we weren't allowed to drink milk, and lots of our harvests had to be destroyed. The mushrooms in the south of Germany are still slightly radiated, same goes for the wild pigs in that area. And it's 25 years ago!

I'm also very worried about the wildlife in the affected areas.

I also worry about pets!!! My brother lives in Las Vegas so they are bound to get some of it. Whatever California gets, goes over the mountain to his place. He has 9 cats.

[Kirsten]

I also worry about pets!!! My brother lives in Las Vegas so they are bound to get some of it. Whatever California gets, goes over the mountain to his place. He has 9 cats.

On tv, they showed pictures of a shelter where refugees could bring their pets with them. But it's only one of many shelters that allows pets.

Found some articles related to that subject:

Choosing Between Your Pet or Shelter: a Reality for People in Japan

Japan's Animals Are in Peril


Hope your brother and his 9 cats will be safe!

[Karen]

The radiation hitting the lower States now is very, very slight, and nothing to really worry about. Germany is much closer to Chernobyl than the US is to the West Coast of the US. For example, Los Angeles is 5363 miles or 8629.07 Kilometers from Fukishima, but Frankfurt Germany to Kiev Ukraine is just 983 miles or 1581.65 Kilometers - so 3 times closer. What hit California was only trace amounts, and the mountains between LA and your brother in Los Angeles would likely take most of even that trace amount.