Japan says radiation near nuke plant poses health risk

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1116565/1/.html

TOKYO: Radiation levels near a quake-hit nuclear plant are now harmful to human health, Japan's government said after two explosions and a fire at the crippled facility Tuesday.

The crisis at the Fukushima No.1 plant, local 250 kilometres (155 miles) northeast of Tokyo, has now spread to four out of its six reactors following Friday's quake and tsunami which knocked out cooling systems.

"There is no doubt that unlike in the past, the figures are the level at which human health can be affected," said chief government spokesman Yukio Edano.

Tens of thousands have already been evacuated from a zone within a radius of 20 km from the ageing plant, but Prime Minister Naoto Kan urged people living within 10 km of the exclusion zone to stay indoors.