Fukushima nuke plant’s groundwater has high toxic levels: Report

Zee Media Bureau

Tokyo: Recent tests at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant have reportedly revealed the presence of high levels of toxic radioactive isotope in the groundwater. The level of strontium-90 level was 30 times its permitted level while the radioactive isotope tritium level was also detected as high in the tests, the operator of the nuclear power plant, Tokyo Electric Power company (Tepco) said, as per a BBC report. A 9.0-magnitude earthquake and ensuing massive tsunami ravaged Japan`s northeast coast in March 2011, leaving 19,000 dead and sparking meltdowns at the Fukushima plant, some 220 kilometres northeast of Tokyo. After the tsunami, the plant witnessed series of issues including water leaks and power failures. Nuclear power had supplied a third of Japan`s electricity needs prior to the Fukushima crisis.