Japan nuclear plant's fuel rods were fully exposed

All three reactors at troubled Dai-ichi power station now risk meltdown after devastating earthquake, tsunami

By Associated Press

Published March 14, 2011 12:18PM (EDT)

In this photo taken on Oct. 3, 2008, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Okumamachi, Fukushima Prefecture, is seen. A strong earthquake on March 11, 2011 knocked out power at the plant, and because a backup generator failed, the cooling system was unable to supply water to cool the 460-megawatt No. 1 reactor, extreme right of four reactors sitting in a line in background. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) MANDATORY CREDIT, NO LICENSING ALLOWED IN CHINA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA AND FRANCE (AP)
In this photo taken on Oct. 3, 2008, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Okumamachi, Fukushima Prefecture, is seen. A strong earthquake on March 11, 2011 knocked out power at the plant, and because a backup generator failed, the cooling system was unable to supply water to cool the 460-megawatt No. 1 reactor, extreme right of four reactors sitting in a line in background. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) MANDATORY CREDIT, NO LICENSING ALLOWED IN CHINA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA AND FRANCE (AP)

A Japanese utility says fuel rods at a troubled nuclear reactor have been fully exposed.

The exposure happened at Unit 2 of the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant -- the latest reactor to lose its ability to cool down. The other two reactors at the plant are facing a meltdown and authorities are racing to cool them with sea water.

Tokyo Electric Power said Monday sea water is being channeled into Unit 2. It did not know if the rods were covered yet.

Their exposure raises the risk of the reactor overheating, which can lead to meltdown.


By Associated Press

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