This event long ago exceeded anything at Three Mile Island. Because TEPCO management has been in denial, they have classified the event at level 4 - below a Three Mile Island event.
In 3 Mile Island, fuel remained inside the containment vessel. In Fukushima, radioactive material is outside containment vessels (some are breeched) now at deadly levels. And probably outside the plant.
Worse is how long TEPCO management has remained in denial. From today's NY Times is an example how inaction made things worse:
Quote:
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Additionally, a senior Western nuclear industry executive said that there also appears to be damage to the floor or sides of the spent fuel pool at Reactor No. 4, and that this is making it extremely hard to refill the pool with water. The problem was first reported by The Los Angeles Times.
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So what did they expect to accomplish with those fire engines and dribbles from helicopters? Oh. Don't worry. Be happy.
Well, an American admiral for the Pacific Region implies that management finally got it. Apparently, blunt words privately from Americans (and probably from others) were finally heard by these business school trophies. The American admiral implied for the first time that things may be getting better. Why? TEPCO management finally understood they have a problem. So finally one thing got accomplished. TEPCO raised the event to level 5 - only equal to Three Mile Island. When they finally get it completely, Fukushima will be raised to a level 6 event.
Fukushima was level six before reactors 2 and 4 were in trouble. Denial at highest levels is the only reason for an explosion in reactor 4. Explains a full week of doing nothing.
At what point does the word "obvious" have significance?
Well Japanese officials have just admitted that some reactors or equipment may have to be buried in sand or concrete like Chernobyl. Chernobyl - a level 7 event.
How many were ignoring what first become obvious on Saturday - six days ago? Or need we define the word "obvious"?