Thousands evacuate as Fukishima nuclear emergency is declared

[Peter Lemkin]

Old is more dangerous for a nuclear reactor than for most any other mechanical system....although all suffer some with age. This is due to the unique embrittlement of metals from the constant bombardment by radioactive particles. Very strong steels [and special ones at that] become as brittle and weak as Scandinavian flat-bread after a long period of bombardment. In theory, parts near to the reaction in the reactor and the vessel itself are to be replaced with new parts...but in reality, rarely is this done - as it takes a long shut down and total disassembly of major parts of the inner workings of the reactor. Many facilities only get 'around' to this when a failure is imminent or has just occurred. The older a nuclear facility, the more likely a very bad accident will occur.......There are so many bad accidents just waiting to happen and getting more so with every day. Add to this factor the increased chance of an external event [crash, bomb, earthquake, etc.] with time and nuclear facilities are accidents waiting to happen. The 'shiny new modern toy' they once were is fading fast. One of the [several] likely reasons for increases of cancer come from both the accidents that have already happened, the waste products and all the nuclear weapons 'tests' plus the two 'applications' in Japan.