Radiation level normal in Russia’s Far East despite Japan disaster

Radiation levels in the Russian Far East are within normal limits despite an ongoing crisis at a nuclear power plant in nearby Japan, the regional office of the Russian Emergencies Ministry said on Monday.

The Fukushima plant was hit by a number of explosions following a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands on March 11.

Efforts are still underway to try to cool down the overheating nuclear cores in the reactors to prevent nuclear fallout.

Trace amounts of radioactive iodine were discovered in tap water in Tokyo in the wake of the disaster.

Radiation above the national safety level was also found in water supplies in five other prefectures, said an official from Japan’s science ministry, which is monitoring radiation levels.

Spinach and milk produced near the plant has been found to contain levels of radiation iodine far higher than the legal limits, but not at levels dangerous to human health. The sale of some products was halted.

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