Both the Nuclear Regulator Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency Announced Monday that they would send experts to assist Japanese authorities struggling to cool earthquake-damaged nuclear plants.
Two NRC officials with boiling water reactor expertise departed for Japan Monday as part of a U.S. Agency for International Development team. Eight more were added to the team later, including reactor experts, international affairs staff members and a senior manager. They come from the agency’s Maryland headquarters and offices in Atlanta and King of Prussia, Pa.
According to an NRC release issued Monday night:
“The team has been instructed to: conduct all activities needed to understand the status of efforts to safely shut down the Japanese reactors; better understand the potential impact on people and the environment of any radioactivity releases; if asked, provide technical advice and support through the U.S. ambassador for the Japanese government’s decision making process; and draw on NRC-headquarters expertise for any other additional technical requirements.”
Atlanta-based Charles A. Casto, a deputy regional administrator for the agency’s Center of Construction Inspection, will lead the team.
Last Friday, the U.S. Navy dispatched the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan to join the Navy’s 7th Fleet in Japan. The carrier can offer potable water, helicopter support and other assistance to earthquake rescue efforts. Several media reports indicate American ships moved farther offshore after slightly elevated radiation levels were detected on 17 people from three helicopter crews returning to the Reagan.
In addition to the magnitude 9 earthquake Friday that killed more than 10,000 in Japan, a subsequent tsunami blacked out two nuclear plants. At one, Fukushima Daiichi, explosions were reported at three buildings and officials have warned core damage may be possible within three reactors.
As the efforts to cool the reactors met with mixed success over the weekend, Japan also accepted offers of technical help from the IAEA, the agency announced Monday.
“The IAEA can offer support in technical areas such as radiation surveys and environmental sampling, medical support, the recovery of missing or misplaced radioactive sources or advice on emergency response,” IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said in a briefing. A release reporting his statements also indicated IAEA will coordinate an assistance network from other member countries.