Worker Suffers Internal Radiation Exposure

SAGA, May 12 (News On Japan) - A male worker cleaning Reactor Unit 3 at the Genkai Nuclear Plant in Saga Prefecture was found to have suffered internal radiation exposure, marking the first such confirmed case at Kyushu Electric, the company announced on Sunday.

The incident occurred on May 10th during regular inspections at the Genkai plant. The worker, employed by a partner company, was cleaning the reactor vessel lid when a radiation check conducted before leaving the controlled area detected contamination near his face.

Further measurements led to the conclusion on May 11th that the worker had been internally exposed to a small amount of radioactive material.

The exposure level was measured at 0.02 millisieverts—about one percent of the annual average natural radiation dose of 2.1 millisieverts. The worker is not experiencing any health issues.

This is the first time Kyushu Electric has confirmed an incident involving internal radiation exposure.

Two other workers who were cleaning the lid alongside him were not exposed. The company is currently investigating the cause.

Source: RKB毎日放送NEWS

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