Current Event

On March 21 nuclear reactors in Fukushima were evacuated after smoke was seen billowing out of them, and it was later determined to be steam. The people who were evacuated were working on repairing the reactors and were allowed back in several hours later (NY Times). It was feared that the levels of radiation would rise due to the smoke but fortunately the levels have not risen. Radiation is a huge concern for Japan right now and potassium iodine tablets are being made available for anyone located near the sight of the disaster as a precautionary measure (New York Post). Ibaraki, a town 30 miles from Fukushima has been instructed not to drink their tap water because of unsafe levels of contamination (Fox News). There have been problems with surrounding food producers finding levels of radiation in their products and nations are beginning to test any food products coming to them from Japan for contamination. Abnormal levels have already been found in spinach and dairy products in Tokyo, Japan and all of these products coming from Fukushima have been barred (New York Post). Fortunately, none of the contaminated products were able to reach the export market, containing the spread to local surroundings. Officials say that the contamination is a lot worse than they expected but efforts and precautions are being made in order to find a solution (New York Times). The nuclear crisis in Japan has caused a great deal of trouble but the country, along with help from other nations, is slowly solving their issues and trying to rebuild after the crippling tsunami they suffered from. Sources: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/world/asia/22japan.html?ref=asia http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/workers_evacuated_reactor_fukushima_Mo25Rk3CrDyucc8uZOLFtJ http://video.foxnews.com/v/4598537/smoke-at-nuke-plant-raises-fears-in-japan/?playlist_id=86857