DATE=9/30/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JAPAN NUKE UPDATE (S&L)
NUMBER=2-254537
BYLINE=KARRIN AMODEO
DATELINE=TOKYO
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO: The atomic chain reaction at the heart of 
Japan's worst ever nuclear accident is over, the 
Govenor of the affected region said early Friday 
morning. Two workers remain in a critical condition 
and over 300-thousand residents are being told to stay 
inside their homes. Karrin Amodeo has more in this 
report from Tokyo

TEXT: The levels of radiation at the processing plant 
in Tokaimura are now about five times above normal 
limits after soaring to 15-thousand times normal. 

The accident occurred early Thursday morning at the 
privately-owned plant in Ibaraki Prefecture, 110-
kilometers northeast of Tokyo. Workers accidentally 
pumped too much liquid uranium into a tank of nitric 
acid while making nuclear fuel. 

The accident led to Japan's first ever self-sustaining 
nuclear fission chain reaction. Nuclear fission is the 
idea behind the atomic bomb. When neutrons hit 
uranium, atoms split and huge amounts of energy and 
radioactivity are released. The plant was not designed 
to contain an accident of this sort. 

Two workers remain in critical condition, suffering 
from shock. They have diarrhea, a fever, red skin and 
a high white blood cell count. All are symptoms of 
radiation sickness. Thirty nine people were exposed to 
radiation and about 150 people were evacuated. 

            /// REST OPTIONAL FOR LONG VERSION ///

More than 300-thousand people living near the plant 
are being told to stay indoors.  Schools are shut, 
major highways leading into the town are closed, and 
electronic billboards on smaller roads tell motorists 
to drive through as quickly as possible.

Japan relies heavily on nuclear power because it is 
poor in natural resources. Fifty-two atomic plants 
provide one-third of the country's electricity. Yet 
environmentalists say the nuclear industry here has no 
culture of safety.

The accident is the latest in a series of mishaps that 
continue to plague the nuclear industry. The latest 
occurred in July 1999. Tokaimura complex has been the 
scene of several accidents in recent years. This 
accident has caused the most serious injury ever and 
has the potential to harm the largest number of 
people.

Officials at the plant say they apologize from the 
bottom of their hearts. They say they'll make a full 
investigation into Thursday's accident. (Signed)

Neb/ka/gm  



30-Sep-1999 20:27 PM EDT (01-Oct-1999 0027 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.