Radioactivity spreads in Japan

摘要

In a week that has seen little good news about the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactors, the latest data on radio-isotope fallout from the plant is so far offering a glimmer of hope. Monitoring efforts are showing that although the reactors have released significant amounts of radiation into the atmosphere, dangerous contamination is mostly localized in a narrow zone northwest of the plant. Emissions are also lower than immediately after the initial explosions, but radioisotope release continues and trends are unpredictable. Working through the details is going to take time, and experts are struggling to assess the situation.