High radiation levels in puddles of water have been found close to water storage tanks on the premises of the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. This information was revealed by Tokyo Electric Power Co. (Tepco) on Monday, August 19, 2013.
The radiation level has been measured about 50 cm above the toxic water and it stood at about 100 millisieverts per hour. The utility also acknowledged that the water most likely came from the tanks and that it is possible that about 120 litres of water has leaked until now. On the other hand, the utility denied that toxic water might have flowed into the Pacific Ocean, but the Nuclear Regulation Authority ordered Tepco to examine the possibility that the toxic water might have escaped into the sea through drains.
A preliminary assessment of a level 1 incident, on an eight-point international scale, has been defnied as an anomaly. A low barrier is supposed to block water from escaping in case of a leak, but drain valves which are attached to the barrier might have been left open, which enabled water to flow outside the barrier.
One of the employees from Tepco found the water leaking from a valve at about 10 am.
Photo Credits: RT
