New Radiation Alert at Fukushima – Levels Soar to 1600 Times Normal
Posted on 21 March 2011. | Posted by Chris Loy
Radiation Levels Rocket Around Fukushima Reactor Plant
Startling news is emerging that high radiation levels have been detected 20 kilometers out from the Fukushima nuclear reactor plant in Japan. Levels reported are 1600 times the normal amount, according to scientist observations from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The worrying development has been recorded in the Fukushima Prefecture in a town called Namie. Scientific measurements in the town have shown levels of up to 161 microsievert per hour.
The town lies right on the border of the exclusion zone, which is at a radius of 20 kilometers around the Fukushima reactors. The next zone outwards for a further 10 kilometers marks the area where people have been told to stay indoors.
Nuclear engineers tasked with the shutdown of the reactors, had successfully acquired an external electrical power source which would have been enough to help energy requirements for cooling efforts at four of the six reactors earlier today. However, a reported plume of smoke and white steam emissions, prevented the system from being fully installed.
Cooling efforts have been prevented as further outbreaks of white, black and hazy smoke or steam were recorded over the last few hours. Observers have not, however, report any further explosions at the crippled Fukushima plant, as of yet.
Such an extremely high measurement of radiation will be of immediate cause for concern for nuclear teams working on the disaster, because the exact cause of each emission event today is not known.
Related articles:
- High Radiation Levels Reported Between Fukushima Nuclear Plant and Tokyo in Japan
- Third Explosion Reported At Fukushima Nuclear Plant
Short URL: http://dailyplanetdispatch.com/?p=6984