Radiation scare at Japan nuclear plant

An aerial view shows Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima in this March 17, 2011 file photo. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

KITAKAMI (Japan) - DANGEROUS levels of radiation detected in water thought to be leaking from a stricken Japanese reactor dealt a new setback on Sunday to efforts to avert a nuclear disaster.

Radiation in puddles near reactor two at the Fukushima plant was more than 1,000 millisieverts per hour, forcing the evacuation of workers toiling to restore the cooling systems, operator Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) said.

'It is an extremely high figure,' nuclear safety agency spokesman Hidehiko Nishiyama said, adding there was a 'high possibility' that the contaminated water had leaked from the reactor. A single dose of 1,000 millisieverts can cause temporary radiation sickness, including nausea and vomiting. An exposure of 100 millisieverts per year is considered the lowest level at which an increase in cancer risk is evident.

Tepco said the concentration of radioactive substances in the water was 100,000 times higher than would usually be found in water in a reactor core, correcting an earlier assessment which said it was 10 million times higher, Kyodo News reported.

Workers were trying to pinpoint the exact source of the radioactive water leak, but there are concerns that fuel rod vessels or their valves and pipes are damaged.

A key concern is how to safely pump away the highly radioactive water, but chief government spokesman Yukio Edano admitted progress at the site was slow. 'It will take some time in order to remove the water while ensuring the safety of workers,' Mr Edano told a press conference. -- AFP