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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Japan : High radiation may slow down TEPCO's repairs

Via NHK News :

" The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant says it may need to slow down some repairs at the Number one reactor due to elevated radiation levels.

Tokyo Electric Power Company measured the levels at several spots in the reactor building on Monday as part of its preparation to fill the containment vessel with water and restore a circulating cooling system.

The company is concerned that the reactor's pipes are leaking radioactive water, contaminating the area.

The tests yielded a maximum of 700 millisieverts per hour, thus workers can only stay in the vicinity for around 20 minutes.

However, employees spent half an hour doing the tests and were exposed to as much as 10.56 millisieverts of radiation.

TEPCO says the figures are higher than acceptable for worker safety.

On Tuesday the firm will attempt measures to reduce radiation levels, including laying down sheets containing lead to insulate the radioactive substances.

It will continue checking the levels but is worried that it may need to change plans depending on the results."

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