nuclear-news

Over-exposure to radiation- six more Fukushima workers reported

Six more Tepco staff exposed beyond limit | The Japan Times Online June 14, 2011 Radiated workers may be drop in Fukushima bucket Kyodo Six more workers involved in efforts to contain the nuclear crisis at the crippled Fukushima No. 1 power plant are feared to have been exposed to radiation above the emergency limit, Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Monday.

The announcement follows a finding that two Tepco employees suffered more than twice the maximum limit of 250 millisieverts that has been set exclusively for workers dealing with the crisis at the complex.

The eight are among some 3,700 workers who were involved in emergency work when the crisis began in March, the nuclear safety agency said.

Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency spokesman Hidehiko Nishiyama said Tepco has submitted provisional assessments of the external and internal radiation exposure levels for 2,400 of the workers to the government, indicating that the number who received the maximum dose is likely to climb even further.

To deal with the country’s worst nuclear crisis, the government raised the limit on the amount of radiation each worker can be exposed to from 100 millisieverts to 250 millisieverts. Even among those who have not maxed out, six have been exposed to more than 200 millisieverts and 88 have surpassed the old 100-millisievert line, although their doses are still below 200 millisieverts….

Six more Tepco staff exposed beyond limit | The Japan Times Online

June 14, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | - Fukushima 2011