Radioactive iodine level near Fukushima 4,300 times above norm RIA Novosti, PUBLISHED March 31, 2011 The concentration of radioactive iodine in seawater near Japan's crippled Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant is currently 4,385 times above the norm, the Kyodo news agency reported on Thursday. The figure has rapidly increased over 1,000 times since Wednesday, when levels of radioactive iodine-131 isotope in the sea near the plant were 3,355 times higher than normal. The nuclear crisis at Fukushima was prompted by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 11,000 people in northeastern Japan. Radiation leaks were reported after fires and blasts, caused by the collapse of the plant's cooling system. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said on Wednesday it was time to start thinking about closing down all six reactors at Fukushima, although reactors No. 5 and 6 have been less problematic than the other four and are already in a state of cold shutdown. Topics: NPP Fukushima Daiichi Other news: Russia ready to finance Egypt first nuclear plant Russia confirmed its participation in a tender to build Egypt's first nuclear power plant and said it was willing to help finance the project. ARMZ acquires Australian uranium producer in $1.2 bln deal ARMZ will pay eight Australian dollars per share, which represents a 15.5 percent premium on the average market price for 20 trading days. Russia to start building Turkish NPP in 2013 Russia will start building Turkey's first NPP estimated at $20 billion in 2013, Russian ambassador to Ankara Vladimir Ivanovsky said. |
Hero of the day Alexander Chistozvonov: end of the Romantic period Today, the army of managers is earnestly believing that one can take the man responsible for the licensing of alcoholic beverages, and put it on licensing, and even to supervise the nuclear reactor. INTERVIEW
Christophe Behar OPINION
Vladimir Rychin |