Japan radiation updates grow more crucial by the day. Since the radiation is spreading beyond Fukushima, more people in that country — and in ours — are on the lookout for it. For the moment, experts are saying it isn’t deadly and poses no health risks to anyone and anything. However, if they can’t stop more of it from escaping Fukushima, it could be more dangerous before long, if it isn’t already. For right now, the Japan radiation path has already spread into spinach, milk, and parts of the United States.
The fight to stop a meltdown at Fukushima is still uncertain, as more drastic measures may be needed to stop it. According to the Telegraph, the option of burying the entire nuclear power plant remains on the table, if they can’t prevent a greater leak.
Already, the Japan radiation leak has been spreading beyond Fukushima, and has finally reached the United States as well. As experts predicted for some time, traces of radioactive material have reached America, albeit not at lethal levels.
The cloud spread to the West Coast while Japanese citizens arriving at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport were found to have traces on Wednesday. However, they reportedly had very small amounts of radioactivity on them, since the leak isn’t said to be lethal yet.
A greater problems from the Japan radiation leak involves food, as there was high radioactivity found at farms near the power plant, according to the New York Times. Although humans are not at a high risk yet, the material could soon pose a threat to the nation’s food supply. Yet officials insisted that there were no immediate risks on that front as well.
While the government and safety officials continue to insist no one is in danger, it may be too early to tell. They are only safe because a greater meltdown hasn’t happened at the nuclear power plant, and it’s uncertain if they can prevent one.
Even if the Japan radiation becomes stronger and more serious, it is unclear just how grave the risk is. Officials still insist that this won’t be as serious as Chernobyl, yet too much has gone wrong for everyone to be reassured right now. For the last week, everything that can go wrong has gone wrong, so no one is taking any chances.
The radiation leak has already spread beyond the country, although it has caused no visible damage yet. However, if Fukushima gets closer to meltdown, the Japanese won’t be the only ones asking how much they are at risk from the results.
Sources
New York Times- “Japan Confirms High Radiation in Spinach and Milk Near Nuclear Plant”
Telegraph- “Japan nuclear crisis: scientists consider burying Fukushima in a ‘Chernobyl sarcophagus'”
CBS News- “Japan radiation sets off O’Hare airport alarms”
