Denudation of spent fuel in Fukushima may trigger radioactive release - expert

MOSCOW. March 17. KAZINFORM The denudation of spent fuel rods stored in pools of Japan's nuclear plant Fukushima-1 may lead to uncontrolled radioactive emissions, Alexei Uvarov, editor-in-chief of the Russian independent analytical website Atominfo said on Thursday. Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.

A series of blasts and fires damaged four of Fukushima's six reactors after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Japan last week, sparking a powerful tsunami and killing thousands.

"There are fears that damage in reactors number 3 and 4 may cause further destruction in their fuel assemblies, then uncontrolled radioactive emissions may begin," the expert said.

Spent nuclear fuel is kept in pools with water for decades. According to most recent information provided by the World Nuclear Association, the spent fuel in Fukushima-1 is destructed and not being doused with water. The high level of radiation near Fukushima proves this.

The death toll from the disaster has risen to 5,429 people and 9,594 are listed as missing, police said. Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version