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March 24, 2011

Japan Faces Water Fears Over Radiation 
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Japan is facing shortages of bottled water after dangerous radiation
levels were detected in water supplies in Tokyo and other areas. Store
shelves were empty across Tokyo after Japanese authorities warned that
tap water was too dangerous for consumption by infants. Thousands of
people remain without water in areas of northern Japan ravaged by the
earthquake and tsunami. James Lyons of the International Atomic Energy
Agency said radiation levels around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power
station could be on the decline.

James Lyons: "More data has become available from Japanese authorities
and the measurements indicate that radiation dose rates at the Daiichi
site are decreasing. There are some positive indications at the site,
precautionary restrictions around the site, and certain food stops have
been put in place. A monitoring of the environment continues to expand
beyond the evacuation zone and at the sea. Overall, no significant risk
to human health has been identified."

Despite the apparent improvements, the IAEA has warned Japanese
officials continue to withhold crucial data including the temperatures
of spent fuel pools at the plant's reactors.
The toll of the death or missing in Japan has topped 26,000.



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