Reply #3: Evaporation and steam are not the same thing. [View All]

[FBaggins]

It makes a big difference in terms of its ability to carry other elements into the air. Spent fuel pools have evaporation all the time (at a lower rate of course due to the lower temperature). Also, the most active part of "radioactive steam" is the water itself as part of the fission process (with an incredibly short half-life). Since there isn't any active fission going on, that isn't a concern.

And we're supposed to view this announcement as positive and reassuring?

If it's true, it IS a positive thing. They eventually have to get to the point where they're cooling/recirculating water to these pools. That obviously becomes more complicated if they're leaking. Since #4 has both the most and most active fuel, it's particularly helpful if it isn't leaking.