In Japanese. See:
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/science/news/20110316-OYT1T00891.htm
Brief summary:
The pressure in reactor inner vessel 2 had suddenly fallen to less than
1 atm.
Earlier, on March 15, the pressure in the torus fell from 3 atm to 1
atm, indicating that was breached. Also on March 15 around noon the
inner vessel pressure began falling rapidly, from 7 atm. By midday March
16 it is reportedly less than 1 atm.
This may be pressure gauge error, since it is unlikely to be less than 1
atm.
It could be caused by a lower temperature, which would lower pressure.
But indications are that the cooling water is not filling the vessel, so
it seems unlikely that a temperature drop caused the pressure to fall.
[My comment. It seems the internal instrumentation is shot, especially
temperature. This is not surprising.]
Another report says there are now 181 workers on site who are
"acknowledged" to be in danger:
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/affairs/news/110316/dst11031620170089-n1.htm
The Health Ministry has responded to the crisis by changing the legal
limit of radiation exposure on the job from from 100 msv to 250 msv.
That's so helpful! If only nature would follow administrative procedures
they could solve this problem in no time.
- Jed
