Japanese Nuclear Reactor Leaks Radio-Active Material into Air

Tuesday, July 17, 2007 Posted: 09:14 PM JST

NHK reports that the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, which was jolted by a 6.8 earthquake yesterday, has released radio-active material into the air. This comes on top of the announcement yesterday that radio-active material was leaked into the Japan Sea. TEPCO, who runs the plant, says that the material released into the air was one ten thousandth of what is harmful to man, and that it poses no danger.

The quake's death toll now stands at 9, more than 1,000 people needed medical care and some 12,000 sought refuge in evacuation centers. Over 400 houses were completely destroyed and the main highway connection will remain closed off for the next few weeks because of heavy damage.

Keywords: national_news

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