Nuclear accident in Japan

Accident in Japan releases ‘exotic soup’ of radioactive material — Not a ‘minor’ leak? — At least 30 people exposed — Gov’t studying potential impact

ENEnews,

26 May, 2013

Kyodo: An additional 24 researchers were exposed to an exotic soup of radioactive isotopes at the Hadron Experimental Facility in Tokai, Ibaraki Prefecture, last week, raising the tally to 30, the state-run Japan Atomic Energy Agency said late Sunday. [...] The radioactive substances reportedly included sodium, iodine and more exotic elements. [...] The JAEA said Saturday it initially thought the leak was minor and had been confined to the laboratory when the alarm went off. Workers then switched on the ventilation system, sending the radioactive contaminants outside the building. […]

Japan Times: Officials from the Ibaraki Prefectural Government raided the complex Saturday afternoon to investigate the delay in reporting the incident. [...] The level of radioactive contamination at the facility stands at as much as 40 becquerels per square centimeter, it said.

AP: An atomic research lab in northern Japan has reported a radiation leak that may have affected about 55 people, though none were hospitalized and no impact was expected outside the facility, the lab’s operator said Saturday. [...] The JAEA said it was studying the potential environmental impact from the radiation leak, but did not expect any effect on surrounding areas.