Detailed text transcripts for TV channel - MSNBC - 20110316:22:10:00
Meltdown. the danger is better described as a zirconium fire. the fuel rods are suspended in water and as long as they are in water they can be kept cool. they have a level just as any spent fuel has. if they are exposed toç air an also to steam then there is a chemical reaction of steam that creates hydrogen and also weakens the zirconium clad. that process allows the fission products, the nasty stuff, to escape from the fuel rods and to the atmosphere which then get lofted up into the air in this smoky fire. that plume is incredibly radioactive. >> could it spread to the other reactors? is...
Source: news source