Radioactivity reach worrying levels, Tokyo faces heat

Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 13:16 [IST]Fukushima, Mar 15: It was as if rubbing salt over festered wounds, Japan is facing a gaping nuclear crisis that has all the potential to snowball into a nuclear catastrophe soon.

After multiple explosion in the nuclear reactor in Fukushima, Japanese scientists have revealed that the radioactive levels have increased into worrying levels in the periphery. If that's not all, sources in the French embassy in Tokyo has claimed that a low-level radioactive wind is spreading across Tokyo and would show its impact in a few hours from now. The French Embassy in Tokyo warned in an advisory that a low level of radioactive wind could reach the capital in about 10 hours.

While, the reactor meltdown could spell trouble for people living in the vicinity, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has already ordered the evacuation of people living in a 30km radius of the plant totalling to 140,000 people. In his address to the nation, "There has been a fire at the No. 4 reactor and radiation levels in the surrounding area have heightened significantly. The possibility of further radioactive leakage is heightening. We are making every effort to prevent the leak from spreading. I know that people are very worried but I would like to ask you to act calmly.”

Japan is still coming to terms with the tsunami that wiped away towns and villages off maps, and millions displaced in the deadly waves. Authorities are still trying to ascertain the extent of loss. With death and missing figures increasing every day, the impending nuclear cloud is only worsening rescue efforts.

After the fourth explosion ripped the Fukushima plant, the Japanese PM has called the crisis, the worst since World War 2. With financial costs estimated at up to $180 billion, the local Kyodo news agency has been quoted as saying that the radiation levels are nine times the normal levels.

Meanwhile, the radiation levels could have long-term impact on the well-being of its citizens. South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines have already gone on record saying that they would put stringent tests in place to test Japanese food imports for radiation.

OneIndia News

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Radiation levels in Japan now high enough to endanger humans

Tokyo, Mar 15: Japan's nuclear crisis veered towards a catastrophe today (Mar 15) after explosions at two more reactors and a fire rocked the quake-stricken nuclear power plants at Fukushima and Prime Minister Naoto Kan warned that radiation levels were now high enough to endanger humans.

The blast and fire have turned the nuclear plants "critical", the country's chief spokesman announced as the melting reactors spewed large amounts of radioactive materials triggering fear of widespread contamination.

Kan in his address to the nation at 11 am local time warned that the radiation had already spread from the crippled reactors and there was "a very high risk of further leakage" as the French embassy here said that low-level radioactive could reach the capital Tokyo within hours.

The Japanese Prime Minister asked an estimated 140,000 people living within 30 kms of the facility north of capital to remain indoors and to conserve power as threat loomed large of Japan''s crisis turning into a Chernobyl-like disaster.

Kyodo quoting nuclear experts said radiation equivalent to 400 times the level to which people can be exposed in one year was detected near the Fukushima No 3 reactor.

Residents within a 20-km radius of the plant have already been ordered to vacate the area following Saturday''s hydrogen blast at the plant's No 1 reactor.

The Japanese news agency quoting Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said the high radiation level detected at 10:22 am local time after the explosions at the No 2 and No 4 reactors "would certainly have negative effects on the human body".

PTI

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