Japan's Lesson From Three Mile Island, Lower FUBAR Levels
cnbc.com
"The minute I heard that there had been an accident at a nuclear facility, I knew we were in another dimension." PA Governor Richard Thornburgh Japan has been pounded by two gigantic natural disasters. And now the country has entered another dimension as it contends with a massive man-made disaster at its Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. I have a personal connection to that scenario. Up close and personal. I'm not a scientist but I can tell you the greatest danger in containing a nuclear accident ... FUBAR. The fact that it seems to be happening in Japan is giving me nightmares. Every day as I read multiple confusing reports about Japan's containment efforts, listen to conflicting expert opinions/predictions on next steps and watch efforts around Fukushima Dai-ichi ... the utter chaos of March, 1979 comes back to me in a whoosh. As a member of the team coordinating public and media information about the Three Mile Island accident and all subsequent efforts and events, I was on the inside. And literally on the site. The reactor site. Three Mile Island, known as TMI, was not only the country's worst nuclear disaster, it was also the first. We had a lot to contend with, especially public perception and fear. And a serious case of Situation FUBAR. (F*cked Up Beyond All Repair and/or Recognition). It started with a movie, of all things, and quickly disintegrated into a real life political and commercial spectacle played out in the media and to the citizens of Pennsylvania. The "China Syndrome" is a term that describes ... a severe nuclear meltdown in which reactor components melt through their containment structures (and then 'melt through the Earth until reaching China' ... though this is not intended to be taken literally). Wikipedia If that happens, nuclear engineers cool the core with water and release controlled amounts of radioactive steam to help relieve the pressure. If they succeed, repairs can be made. The levels of released radiation are reasonably safe. In a full nuclear meltdown, a super heated reactor core can cause explosions, releasing tons of radioactive material into the air and soil and water tables. Far and wide and deep Precious time was wasted on miscommunication and politics. It took too long for local, state and national officials and agencies to work together and with the private sector. Because the danger was so enormous, so was the public's fear. It too had to be contained. Japan, are you listening? PA Governor Dick Thornburgh had been in office barely two months and knew nothing about nuclear power. To be fair, few people did. President Carter was, if you recall, a nuclear engineer. You do the math. The president felt his hands-on leadership was needed. In fact it was essential. But it took a while. Too long a while. Negotiations. Politics. Egos. If radioactivity wasn't yet in the air, panic certainly was. How to control it? Information Control 101 - Reverse FUBAR I knew too, as we all did, that critical mass was escalating on all fronts. Our team worked to organize that visit. The sight of our leaders inside the damaged reactor helped calm the fears of those in the immediate area and around the country. ThreeMileIsland.org Just so you know, when Carter and Thornburgh --and the rest of us-- entered that damaged reactor, the bubble theory was still a viable threat. And as you can see, we had no hazmat gear. The sensation of being so close to radioactive contamination, and the possible consequences, was otherworldly. But we were working, exhausted yet focused, determined to do our jobs well. Tunnel vision. Eyes on the prize. Seriously? They Did That Too? We wracked our brains. How to convince people the region was safe? Japan's Turn to Learn Japan has asked for help from the US. We helped clean up Chernobyl too. I pray that brains, integrity and total cooperation are tops on everybody's agenda. And with the stakes so much higher, I desperately want Japan to avoid TMI's FUBAR.
Some experts fear the situation at Fukushima Dai-ichi could escalate to the level of Chernobyl, the world's biggest nuclear accident to date. I sincerely hope not.
Japan's situation is now officially being compared to the worst nuclear accident (partial meltdown and release of radioactive gasses) in US history, Three Mile Island, near Harrisburg, PA. I hope the comparison's not too accurate.
You want to know about Three Mile Island, ask me. I was there. At ground zero. Yes. I. Was. There. 
Sony Pictures
If you're old enough, you remember the eerie confluence of TMI and a movie called "The China Syndrome" about a US nuclear reactor meltdown accident and cover-up.
The movie opened literally 12 days before the very real accident at Three Mile Island. With even more creepy prescience, a 'physicist' in the movie warned that the China Syndrome would "render an area the size of Pennsylvania permanently uninhabitable."
How's that for radioactive cinematic karma?
Meltdown 101 - What Happens
It's helpful to know the basics. The core of a reactor holds the radioactive material needed to create nuclear energy. It has to be kept cool. With water.
Like any other combustible substance, overheating can cause the core to melt, burning through its containment buildings if hot enough, dispersing some of its contents.
The consequences are disastrous, contaminating the environment for countless miles in all directions, and possibly for centuries to come.
That horrendous catastrophe was narrowly averted at Three Mile Island. But it could have happened.
Mass chaos was also averted. But not for lack of trying.
TMI FUBAR 101 - What Happened
At TMI, there was no earthquake, not even a tremor. The danger started when a valve opened, unnoticed, in the plant’s new Unit 2 reactor, allowing vital coolant water to escape. Also unnoticed.
A series of technical and human failures followed, and temperatures inside the unit rose to more than 5,000 degrees, causing the fueling core to begin melting.
The scope of the potential catastrophe at TMI should have made partisan politics pale by comparison. But it didn't. Not in the beginning. There was literally chaos.
Miscues, overreactions, misinformation and utter confusion ruled the day, at all levels. Nobody knew the full story. Experts disagreed on the causes and extent of the danger. And everybody was actively engaged in CYA.
Information from Three Mile Island, its owner Metropolitan Edison Company, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission was incomplete, contradictory and confusing. Without concrete data, rumors reported in the media were skyrocketing out of control.
No 24/7 Internet back then, but plenty of TV and radio to spread any and every rumor or crackpot theory.
The TMI Information Team was formed on Day 1, March 28, 1979, at ...wait for it... the Philadelphia advertising agency contracted to enhance the "image" of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Bizarre but true.
The team's goal was to create centralized communication among the political, local and technical communities and in the public domain. Damage control was imperative at all levels.
We worked virtually 24/7 for two weeks, the first day in Philly, the rest close --too close-- to ground zero, Middletown, PA, near Harrisburg. It's hard now to wrap my head around the fact that I lived and worked less than a mile from the damaged nuclear reactor ... and on the site itself.
We crammed our heads with nuclear data. Subsisted on coffee, sodas and stale donuts. (No tap water, thank you). Made morbid jokes to stem the fear. And tried feverishly to come up with a plan to stop the rumors and allay the public's terror.
My role was unique in the context of connections and local knowledge. I had worked for the previous governor and for President Carter's election campaign. I knew all the players, the political and geographical landscape, and the local populace.
We helped craft Governor Thornburgh's first public address. He spoke briefly and succinctly, telling people they and their children were safe, pregnant women were safe, food was safe to eat, water safe to drink.
At the time, he was mostly right.
But the worst was yet to come.
Bubble 101 - Major Uh Oh
Word got out that scientists believed a hydrogen bubble had formed above the reactor core and could lead to a larger meltdown and a potential spreading radioactive cloud.
Governor Thornburgh was forced to order a partial evacuation of the area around the plant. We helped with that puclic announcement too.
In less than one day, approximately 144 thousand people scrambled to leave central Pennsylvania.
As it turned out, the risk of an explosion and meltdown was overstated. But it finally sparked the cooperative effort which brought President Carter and Governor Thornburgh to the reactor site together.
AP
In retrospect, I don't know how we did it. I can't claim courage. Just necessity. And for me anyway, probably the arrogance of youthful belief in your own immortality.
Even after the evacuation advisory was lifted and the crisis declared over, area residents were still shell-shocked. Suspicious. Uncertain of continuing danger.
I had an idea. Got clearance from the NRC and the scientific community for Met Ed to rent a double wide house trailer. Three Mile Island's plant manager, his wife, four kids and their dog moved in.
Where? The trailer was set up on site at Three Mile Island. Right next to the reactor. Why? To demonstrate the danger had truly passed.
I wonder now at their courage. And I wonder too if their health has been affected in any way. More than a little outrageous, but at the time it worked. People returned to their homes. And the massive cleanup began.
Nuclear engineers and professionals from around the world, including Japan, came to study the accident at Three Mile Island. Learn how to better prepare and protect their own reactors.
I sincerely hope they took away knowledge that will help them now. Although it seems Japan didn't apply many of the TMI lessons to its own unique geographic challenges.
Some experts say nuclear reactors provide our best and safest energy resource. Others claim it's a road to Armageddon.
Where does the truth lie? I don't know. But I've been too close to Armageddon and I don't ever want to go back.
NOTE: As I commented on Lea's thoughtful, important post, Would You Consider Dying to Save Your Country from Dying?, "I am humbled and ashamed I focused on the politics while giving little to no credit to the brave workers on the ground at TMI and in Japan."
I am honored to have met many workers at TMI, most too busy to chat because they were totally engaged in doing the jobs --at great personal risk-- that would eventually succeed in averting a major disaster.
I apologize to all the courageous men and women who made sacrifices at TMI and are making them now in Japan. No one should ever take them for granted.
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Comments
I'm not feeling too differently now. Thanks for this piece, Sally. I know it took some time, effort and Sally Smarts.
But it's not right to comment first and steal the joke I was going to use.
Runaway, I don't take lightly what happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki but that generation is very old now. Plus new techniques, from 1979 and 1986 and today are the lessons Japan needs now.
aka, so sorry. But in fact we do wonder if all the joint surgeries (and other illnesses) many of us have had aren't somehow related to TMI. And hey, just from X-Rays and MRI's alone, I glow for sure.
♥R
To continue with the FUBAR theme: There is another dimension to this that I fear won't be addressed. And that is, "Who's problem is this?" Most will insist that its Japan's problem. So the job is to help Japan.
I'd suggest that its everybody's problem. It's our problem too. I know most will not see that. Some won't even get it. It's not really news, so it will never be featured anywhere. But until it's understood, the profound value of what you produced here in connecting our experience to Japan's won't fully take hold.
And that's a big problem. Because what you are doing here isn't just telling a good story well--you are offering up a way to make sure that this time we do it right.
And the power of that touches all of us who share the planet.
Present technology does NOT provide a safe method, and we are instead dumping this problem off on generations to come -- just as we do with so many of our other problems.
Fusun, I am "glowing" from your praise.
denese, I was in advertising/pr at the time (maybe read about my former clients, Chelsea Clinton's inlaws?). It was one of many ideas but I had zero authority to make it happen. If all involved had thought it wasn't safe, I am positive it wouldn't have been done. OTOH, my older and wiser conscience does make me worry.
Roger, exactly my underlying point... fear of FUBAR should apply to every global endeavor that has the power to affect millions. Responsibility must rest with all involved.
Sarah, wow, Lancaster's close. I still have that t-shirt and another that says "I got high at TMI"
Ablonde, you're right, but I can only talk about what happened. TMI was contained quickly, Chernobyl only became safe years after. I mentioned in another comment that my BFF is an environmental specialist and lived in the Ukraine for a year while overseeing the Chernobyl cleanup. She spent a lot of time on the site.
Tom, I can't argue with your logic, but fear nuclear energy isn't going anywhere. That's why the possibility (and reality) of FUBAR worries me. And btw, I'm honored to be 'related' to you.
sophieh, I do my best to have been around. :)
Bob, as always, you're right on target. There were some health repercussions from TMI as there are from being around any radioactive materials over an extended period. There's a list of movie stars, John Wayne, Agnes Moorehead, John Hoyt, Susan Hayward, director Dick Powell and most of the crew all died of cancer after making a movie, "The Conqueror" near atomic test sites in St. George, Utah.
Matt, you ask the question right on cue. I wish I had an answer.
I'm not clear on what advice Japan needs to hear, though, Sally. What, just convey what may be false optimism so that people don't panic unnecessarily? That fortunately worked out in Pennsylvania--not so much at Chernobyl. Had circumstances deteriorated, you might have paid a very heavy price indeed for doing what you did to instill confidence in the locals.
I keep hoping that SOMETHING will work, in Japan. Two natural tragedies are enough to contend with; a third stemming from man-made lack of forethought is so terrifying!
Rough break for the cast and crew of the Warriors. I've heard it was a pretty crap movie too. But then, how good coul anything be with John Wayne cast as Genghis Khan?
May you only 'glow' for the right, non-radioactive reasons, Sally.
rated
I was in Philly and 28 years-old and I am certain I was unaware of the dangers, in my gut, bc I cannot recall sensing any real angst/danger. Youth is very odd. r.
Stacey, if anybody was gonna get that, I knew it would be you.
dirndl, people still don't realize there Was a partial meltdown at TMI, that's why experts are now ranking Japan at that level. Radiation damage, still unknown.
Sheila, thank you so much. It seems I always seem to be in the right (or wrong) place...
Joan, my sister, there's brave and then there's brave. You own the latter.
Abrawang, I have a feeling this time the debate on nuclear energy will reach levels as it's never done before. Until the next crisis...
Snippy, the advice Japan needs is to eschew politics, pride and anything else getting in the way of the cooperation, shared expertise and assistance needed to prevent another Chernobyl. It wasn't about false optimism in PA, it was about keeping people safe, fixing the reactor and minimizing all damage, including what mass panic can cause. Urging REAL optimism *after the danger had passed* was important too.
Mimetalker, thank you. Let me know if your second read still makes me look like a crass opportunist or still someone doing her job based on Real data for the good of the people in danger.
Snippy, I'm truly sorry you've got a very real concern about your daughter's safety. It will depend a lot not only on containment and outcome but on where she's going in Japan... if it's still not safe in September, Japan will not want to risk accepting students, especially Americans. Cynical but politically true (and safer for your child).
Shiral, sometimes I wonder if some of my supposedly "athletic injuries," plus sinus problems and migraines don't have a more sinister cause. But I'd rather your view, that I just naturally glow. :)
Jon, youth is odd in many ways. Though it was a rather big news story, we thought the whole world and everyone in it was watching TMI 24/7 breathlessly, which of course they weren't. Plus, we took chances I wouldn't take now. Ah youth. T/g for maturity.
BadScot, why the hostility? I said TMI was the worst, which is what it's been called by every source including it's own site; I also said it was the first. You don't split hairs with meltdowns, the danger was real at TMI, radioactive material was released. The communication problems were real too... which is also well documented. Did you not read any of my included source links?
Japan has recently admitted it did not implement the safety features it learned at TMI and that it's communication among experts and to the people was incomplete and came too late. TMI is far from old history if the situation in Japan is currently being compared to it.
Chernobyl was a disgrace, which I also said, no containment buildings, no one well trained, no safety features at all. And far, far more horrendous damage.
I find your rudeness in dismissing my concerns about myself and others (expressed in jokes, still legitimate), that the many medical problems too many of us have endured over the years might be a result of radiation at TMI.
I don't at all mind civilized debate, but find specious attacks inappropriate and reflecting more on the attacker. Please, do not comment here again. I will not engage with you.
Great piece. I remember the period well. My father had a company in Maryland and we had a sales guy who covered that portion of Pennsylvania - we told him to steer clear of that area for a while. Also, the bizarre confluence of The China Syndrome with TMI, which must have been a public relations person's nightmare.
So, this event taught scientists, one hopes, a lot. But it, if anything, should have taught us that, at least in this instance, man handled the problem. Or maybe we saw "parallel" reality shows.
I just read today that although the people at Fukushima had prepared for a power failure, a tsunami, an earthquake and broken cables, they had never prepared for all four things happening at once. That's why we should count on FUBAR.
Rated.
Bonnie, we understand too well the incredibly damaging power of political maneuvering.
Candy, thank you. And ksal, thank you too, I should have said that first.
Barbara Joanne, there was in fact a meltdown at TMI, radioactive steam had to be released, it was fortunately relatively small and finally contained, mostly because there were no underlying natural disasters AND unlike Chernobyl the containment structures were 1. in place and 2. built correctly to contain nuclear materials.
Japan has said publicly that it didn't follow the lessons of TMI. I don't watch reality shows and I included many source links here. If you have any interest in more facts, I'm sure you can look them up yourself.
BTW, the average non-scientist thinks of a MELTDOWN as a complete destruction of the plant, or nearly so, resulting in catastrophic Chernobyl-like fatalities. It is misleading in the extreme to compare Three Mile Island to something on that order or, of course, to the Japanese problem, which, although very, very serious, was, in the end, handled by the workers, scientists and others on site.