But despite all that, the reactor vessels have held, and radioactive release is limited.

但是尽管发生了这一切不幸，反应堆外壳并没有破裂，放射性物质的泄漏也非常有限。

youdao

In the U. S., reactors shut down for refueling typically retain most of their fuel in the thick steel reactor pressure vessel that provides much more protection against a radioactive release.

在美国，如果反应堆因补充燃料而关闭，一般来说，在厚重的钢质反应堆压力容器内仍会存有大多数燃料，因为这个容器可提供更多保护，防止辐射泄漏。

youdao

Its purpose is not to shield radioactive emissions but to prevent the release of radioactive dust and other materials, and to keep out rainwater, which could carry contaminants into the water table.

它的作用不是用来遮挡放射性排放而是阻止放射性烟尘和其它物质的释放，以及遮挡雨水以防止雨水携带污染物流入地下水。

youdao

"Something else, which we hope does not happen very often, but which happens from time to time are the accidents which can release huge amounts of chemicals or radioactive-during Chernobyl, the radioactive things.

VOA: standard.2009.03.23

It is remarkable that so much attention has been given to the radioactive release from Fukushima, considering that the direct death and destruction from the tsunami was enormously greater.

WSJ: The Panic Over Fukushima

"It's hard to make a comparison between Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima because the radioactive release is different and so is the population, " said John Large, a UK-based independent nuclear engineer.

BBC: Fukushima: As bad as Chernobyl?

Solid nuclear fuel like that used at Fukushima-Daiichi can melt and release radioactive materials if not cooled consistently during shutdown.

FORBES: Explainer: What Caused The Incident At Fukushima-Daiichi