Radiation from Fukushima is only 10% of the Chernobyl case

Japan has raised the severity of incidents at the Fukushima I nuclear plant to the highest level yesterday. However, the International Nuclear Energy Agency said the crisis was completely different from Chernobyl in 1986.

Experts are trying to correct the problem in the Fukushima I. nuclear plant. Photo: TEPCO.

"The mechanism of these two cases is completely different, " the IAEA deputy director Denis Flory told reporters.

While the Chernobyl incident occurred at the core of the reactor , causing fire and smoke to emit a large amount of radioactive material into the air and surrounding areas, the explosions at the Fukushima I plant occurred on the side. In addition to the high-pressure tank containing the core , Flory said.

He also pointed out that the Japanese nuclear safety agency estimates the amount of radiation emitted from the garment factory and spread to the atmosphere by only 10% of the Chernobyl content.

Flory also confirmed that Japanese officials officially informed the IAEA that they had raised the severity of the case to 7, the highest level on an international scale.

Judged as a "serious accident" in the International Nuclear Radioactive Incident Scale, level 7 is used to describe an event in which "emitting a large amount of radioactivity has a profound effect on health. health and the environment, which requires the implementation of planned comprehensive containment measures , " Xinhua quoted the IAEA's announcement.

In a positive message, Flory said that although the situation was still very serious, there were early signs of recovering some functions such as power and machines.