McMaster students touring Fukushima nuclear disaster site

A handful of local university students are touring parts of Japan to better understand the devastating effects of the country's 2011 nuclear disaster and the problems that persist.

Five graduate students from McMaster University's radiation sciences program landed in Japan on Wednesday for a 10-day tour of the Fukushima region where they'll spend time in a restricted zone, stay with families devastated by the disaster and tour the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi power plant, the site of the nuclear meltdown.

They are part of the Fukushima Ambassador Program, which is funded by the Japanese government and the nuclear plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co. The initiative is designed to teach students from around the world about the physical, economic and social consequences of the disaster.

On March 11, 2011, a massive offshore earthquake triggered a tsunami that eventually led to a catastrophic nuclear meltdown that spewed radiation into the environment. The disaster claimed more than 15,000 lives, the vast majority due to drowning from the tsunami.

The nuclear meltdown led to large-scale evacuations and more than 100,000 people remain without a permanent home.

For the budding scientists visiting the region, the trip is an opportunity to learn about life outside the laboratory.                                                                                                    https://www.thespec.com/news-story/7511113-mcmaster-students-touring-fukushima-nuclear-disaster-site/?utm_source=academica+top+ten&utm_campaign=acdc62a5a3-email_campaign_2017_08_21&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b4928536cf-acdc62a5a3-51945761