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  • The DOST-PNRI is continuously closely monitoring the situation of the Fukushima-Daiichi Power Plants;
  • The IAEA Incident and Emergency Center has informed that an explosion was heard at Fukishima Daiichi Unit 2 at 2:10 UTC on March 14. The report also states that there is a possibility the suppression chamber may have been damaged due to this explosion. Further details are being awaited.
  • All 4 Units of the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants are still in shutdown condition;
  • At unit 1, plant operators were able to restore a residual heat remover system now being used to cool down the reactor core. Efforts are in progress to maintain cold shutdown of the reactor;
  • A hydrogen gas explosion that destroyed the roof of Unit 3 reactor building took place but there has been no notable change in the radiation levels observed in the boundaries of the power plants;
  • There is no scientific and technical basis that radioactive plume or nuclear fall-out from Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants will hit the territory of the Philippines within the next 24 hours;
  • Wind projection according to PAG-ASA states that wind in the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants is heading East of Japan towards the Pacific Coast and is definitely going thousands of kilometers away from the Philippine territorial seas as of 15 March 2011;
  • The public is strongly advised to call the PNRI trunklines with Tel Nos. 929-6010 to 19 and 920-8787 or refer to the DOST (www.dost.gov.ph), PNRI website (www.pnri.dost.gov.ph) and STII (swww.stii.dost.gov.ph) for further advisories.
  • The public is also advised to access the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) website for the latest development (www.iaea.org) of the incident. The IAEA is considered the international watchdog which issues verified information about the events happening in Fukushima.

Details
  • Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo advises the public not to believe in rumor mongers and gossips regarding the alleged nuclear meltdown at “Fukuyama”, or some other place in Japan, and on radiation threatening to affect other places.
  • The advice circulating that people should stay indoors and to wear raincoats if they go outdoors has no basis and did not come from DOST or the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.
  • DOST CLARIFIES THAT THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE DANGER TO THE PHILIPPINES.
  • DOST advises the public not to believe these rumors currently spreading through text messages, emails, the Internet, and other means of communication.
  • DOST also advises the public not to entertain these rumors and to stop forwarding said messages so as not to sow panic among the people.
  • DOST maintains a 24/7 link-up with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the highest authority on nuclear matters for advice on the current situation of the Fukushima Daiichi plant. Available data do not indicate any immediate threats to the Philippines.
  • DOST is committed to bringing accurate, reliable, and timely information regarding the Fukushima event and its possible effects to the Philippines.
  • For more queries, pls. call DOST-PNRI Emergency Response Center at (632) 929- 4719 or 920-8738.

Details
  • Japanese authorities reported to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) the explosion of two nuclear power plants in Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on March 11, 2011 following the earthquake, affecting three nuclear reactors (Units 1, 2, and 4).
  • The IAEA reported that the explosion at Unit 1 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi plant occurred outside the primary containment vessel (PCV), not inside. The plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), has confirmed that the integrity of the primary containment vessel remains intact.
  • To limit damage to the reactor core, sea water mixed with boric acid was injected into the primary containment vessel. Boric acid absorbs neutrons to prevent reactor criticality. This measure was approved by the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) of Japan and the injection procedure began at 20:20 local Japan time.
  • Japan has reported that four workers at Fukushima Daiichi were injured by the explosion.
  • NISA have confirmed the presence of radioactive elements cesium-137 and iodine-131 in the vicinity of Fukushima Daiichi Unit 1. NISA reported an initial increase in levels of radioactivity around the plant earlier today, but these levels have been observed to lessen in recent hours.
  • Containment remains intact at Fukushima Daiichi Units 1, 2 and 3. It is recalled that the design of the Fukushima reactor is different from that of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. In the event of a meltdown at Fukushima, the melted fuel is expected to stay within the stainless steel containment, preventing its release to the environment. The Chernobyl power plant did not have a reactor building concrete shield and steel containment.
  • A plume trajectory study from the Fukushima site by the World Meteorological Organization based in Melbourne, Australia showed that the plume from the site of the incident will not pass the Philippine territory as of March 14, 2011.

MONITORING BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - PHILIPPINE NUCLEAR RESEARCH INSTITUTE (DOST-PNRI)

  • The DOST-PNRI routinely undertakes daily radioactivity monitoring in the environment. Based on DOST-PNRI monitoring, there has been no increase in the levels of radioactivity since the time of the Fukushima event.
  • The DOST-PNRI’s National Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan puts in place an organized emergency response facility for a timely, coordinated action of the Philippine authorities in the event of a radiological emergency.
  • The DOST-PNRI is closely monitoring developments at Fukushima every six hours and maintains a 24-hour link-up with the IAEA.  For more detailed information on the Fukushima event, pls. call DOST-PNRI Director Alumanda dela Rosa at 929-4719 / 920-8738.

Details

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