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Radioactive Material Found in Worker's Nasal Cavity at Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant

The company is testing for internal exposure following a brief lapse in mask filtration during maintenance.

Overview

  • Japan Nuclear Fuel announced on October 27 that a subcontracted male worker in his 40s tested positive for radioactive material in his nasal cavity inside the Rokkasho reprocessing plant in Aomori Prefecture.
  • The event occurred on October 24 during replacement of part of an exhaust system that vents radioactive substances from a tank.
  • Rising radiation readings were recorded during the task, and contamination was found on the worker’s mask filter.
  • The worker is believed to have breathed for up to about three minutes without a filter while changing it.
  • The worker currently has no reported symptoms, and examinations are underway to determine whether internal exposure occurred.