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Experts: Radiation levels around Fukushima are comparable to Chernobyl levels
Last reviewed: 30.06.2025
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The level of soil contamination with radioactive substances in the areas around the damaged Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant is comparable to the indicators recorded after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Japanese media reported on Wednesday.
According to experts from the Japan Nuclear Waste Management Organization, the level of cesium contamination of a 600 square kilometer area northeast of the nuclear power plant is 1.48 million becquerels per square kilometer.
This level of contamination led to the emergency evacuation of Chernobyl residents in 1986, the reports noted.
Meanwhile, the area affected by the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant accident is 10-20% of the area contaminated as a result of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident.
A large-scale soil cleanup will be carried out in the affected area before residents return to their homes, the Japan Nuclear Waste Management Organization said.
As previously reported, the head of the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant operator Terso Masataka Shimizu took responsibility for the accident at the nuclear power plant and resigned.
In addition, in Japan, residents of populated areas located outside the previously established exclusion zone around the damaged nuclear power plant are being evacuated.