2011年5月31日星期二

Two workers of Fukushima may have exceeded radiation limit (Reuters)

TOKYO (Reuters) - two workers Central of the nuclear Japan crippled may have exceeded limit of exposure to radiation from the Government, said plant operator, adding to concerns about risks to the health of those who struggle against the worst disaster in the world in 25 years.

If confirmed, it would mark the first case of exposure to radiation excess among the hundreds of emergency workers who fought for the Tokyo Electric Power Co Fukushima Daiichi plant under control after it was destroyed by a huge earthquake and tsunami two and a half months ago.

The Government and the utility, Tepco, came under fire for not disclosing enough information about the risks and radiation doses. Some experts if workers were fully informed of potential hazards.

"The problem, it is that too policy has been focused on protecting Tepco and not enough on the public," said Kiyoshi Kurakawa, a physician who served as scientific advisor to the Government from 2006 to 2008"

Measurements of external exposure and radioactive iodine in their thyroid glands has suggested that the two male workers, one of its 30 years and the other in his forties, had exceeded the maximum set by the Government of 250 millisieverts for the duration of the project for cleaning and control.

250 Millisieverts of radiation exposure is equivalent to more than 400 stomach x-rays. It is under the level of acute irradiation. Experts are divided on the effect of long-term health but agree to higher levels of exposure correspond to higher risk of cancers.

The Government has relaxed its upper limit for the exhibition of the disaster in Fukushima, allowing 250 workers millisieverts of emergency compared with the maximum of classic 100 millisieverts for nuclear-related emergencies.

Health controls about a week ago has not revealed any anomalies in two workers. More detailed reviews are planned, said Tepco.

Regulatory body nuclear Tokyo Electric pressed Japan for more information and said it would monitor the situation to ensure compliance with government guidelines.

The two have worked in the central room for reactors No. 3 and no. 4 of the control and carried out inspections of the plant March 11 after an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 and tsunami off its cooling systems and triggered collapse of fuel in the three reactors. They had been stationed at the plant until recently.

(Statement by Kiyoshi Takenaka, Shinichi Saoshiro and Kevin Krolicki, mounting by Jonathan Thatcher)


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