Japan needs help handling radiation risks
The government of Japan has requested the United Nations nuclear agency to help in monitoring the environment and the effects of radiation on human health. The request comes as experts continue to deal with the effects of explosions at the Fukushima Daiichi Plant and the release of potentially harmful radiation. Charles Appel reports.
Damaged power plant
The Japanese government has asked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to send experts to help gauge the effects of radiation exposure on human health.
There are fears that the damaged nuclear reactors could melt down and spread radioactive material in the air.
Japanese authorities are also worried about the state of the spent fuel pools whose role is to prevent radiation leaks and maintain cool temperatures inside the reactors.
Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa announced there were plans to use helicopters to drop water onto the damaged reactor buildings.
But the IAEA says that some debris on the ground from the 14 March explosion may need to be removed before the spraying can begin.
Charles Appel, United Nations
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