"Cover over Reactor 1 is only cosmetic" – Built to keep webcam from filming badly damaged building — Has nothing to do with preventing radioactive materials from escaping

[...] the fabric cover over the Reactor 1 building is only cosmetic, and nothing to do with preventing the radioactive materials from escaping.

 

There was a talk, presumably from the contractors, to build a more permanent structure (more like the one they are building for Reactor 4) but that was shot down by TEPCO over the cost concerns.

 

They wanted the badly damaged Reactor 1 building out of sight of the live cam, he says.