Fukushima nuclear reactor explosion in Japan has spread anxiety that increasingly irrational. Not only in Japan, but up in Indonesia. Not only on the internet and SMS chain, but has become a whispering word of mouth. I myself received "warnings" chain for more cautious when going out in the rain. Therefore, rain water that may be very dangerous, radioactive, or in the form of acid rain is harmful to health. For example, lead to hair loss or even cancer. Warning that "horrible" it is still added suggestions for SMS / fuel is passed on to any of our friends. Such a course could cause mass anxiety is not rational. There are two things that made it the basis of anxiety.
The first is a hydrogen explosion that ruined Fukushima reactor. Mentioned, the number of hydrogen in the Japanese air will trigger acid rain not only in the vicinity of the location of the reactor, but to the whole world, including Indonesia. An understanding of the news must be straightened. Where does the emergence of hydrogen which could blow up a nuclear reactor building it? Mild accumulation of highly reactive gases that arise as a result of reaction of nuclear fuel sheath made of zirconium (Zr) with reactor coolant water in extremely hot temperatures. Chemically written: Zr + 2 H2O ‡ ZrO + 2H2.
When the reactor coolant does not work, indeed in the vicinity of the fuel cartridge that will occur resulting in excessive heating it reacts with the water soaking. Hydrogen gas is then separated and collected in the cupola of the reactor in a number of very much. Hydrogen gas is highly reactive gas species and can not stand alone in the air. He then reacts with oxygen-free. The effect of explosions and bursts of heat that can undermine the strength of the reactor building. But, not the reactor core containing nuclear fuel. Such explosion similar to what happened on the carrier rocket spacecraft. Shot of large fires and explosions can produce lift rocket toward the top of the earth's atmosphere. Powerful force on the rocket was also derived from the reaction of hydrogen with oxygen. To note, the reaction of hydrogen with oxygen in the rocket and the cupola of the reactor does not produce acid rain, although in the vicinity of the location of the reaction. Moreover, to spread to other parts of the world.
That is exaggerated. In fact, in fact, acid rain can occur due to burning fossil fuels such as coal, which is excessive. Pollution will soar into the clouds and cause acid rain. That does not happen on nuclear fuel. Effect of nuclear reactions will not produce acid rain, but the radioactive waste. However, to the effect that any radioactive, many are still wrong perceptions and excessive. Moreover, many mass media that do not provide balanced information about the radioactive danger. In fact, radioactivity was only dangerous if the dose exceeds the threshold are allowed. In the normal scale, natural radioactivity has been going on around us. When watching television, for example, we have eyes and expose our bodies to harmful radiation that comes out of the television tube. Also when working with computers, monitor screens out radiation. Similarly, when operating the copiers, any worker exposed to radiation.
Especially when photographed X-rays with X-rays In fact, the nature around us to expose any cosmic ray radiation. The level of radiation hazard in line with dose received by the body. As long as it is still below the threshold, everything will be fine. So, when Fukushima reactor workers exposed to nuclear radiation, we can not necessarily say it as a dangerous disaster. It remains to be seen how much dose they received. However, it must be anticipatory steps to avoid missed. Latest data released by the Japanese government said the radiation dose inside the reactor building that shortly after the explosion of 100 milli-Sv has now dropped to about 150 micro-Sv. That was lower than usual doses of roentgen rays used to take pictures of our bodies, which ranges from 600 micro-Sv. Thus, although exposure to nuclear radiation, if the dose is only equal to it, humans are not in danger of origin after it quarantined.
For that, in the world of radiology is known measure of radiation received by humans are still allowed to scale rem (radiation equivalent man). In any form of radiation, including x-ray is scanning, one must consider the scale of the radiation rules may be accepted that body. The amount depends on the type of organ and age of people exposed to radiation. Young people are more sensitive to radiation than adults. Scale that was different to the layman and radiation workers. For example, for the layman, the radiation on the body or red bone marrow and reproductive organs should not be more than 0.5 rem per year. While workers may be exposed to radiation exposure to 5 rem per year. Skin, bone, and thyroid may be exposed to three rem of radiation per year for laymen and 30 rem per year in radiation workers.
Meanwhile, the hands, arms, legs, and calves may be exposed to radiation up to 7.5 rem per year for laymen and 75 rem per year in radiation workers. The rest, other organs may be affected by exposure to 1.5 rem per year for laymen and 15 rem per year for radiation workers. That is, exposure to radiation below the threshold size will not endanger our health. Effect of new cancers occur in very high radiation doses. For example, a dose of 300 rem proved to cause cancer in test mice. While a new skin cancers occur at doses brake 2000-5000. So, I think, be wiser if we understand the effects of radioactivity it is more rational. Coverage is balanced from the mass media will give the effect of education to our society proportionately. Because, who knows, Indonesia would choose the NPP (nuclear power) in the future as energy diversification step. Namely, when fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas, can no longer be fully relied upon because it is not soon run out. Also when the hydroelectric power is very alarming because of the increasingly severe environmental damage. Very probably the next few years Indonesia to meet the coming energy crisis alarming. (*) * The author, an alumnus of nuclear engineering, Gadjah Mada University, a former journalist Java Post
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