April 7, 2011 10:08 AM

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Japanese operator of damaged nuclear power plant begins injecting nitrogen gas into containment vessel of one of reactors

In Japan, the operator of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant says it has begun injecting nitrogen gas into the containment vessel of one of the reactors.Tokyo Electric Power Company said the injection is aimed at preventing hydrogen from exploding inside the containment vessel at the No. 1 reactor. It is thought that hydrogen and oxygen have been generated as a result of the reaction between water and the zirconium alloy that covers the fuel. The operator said the injection will continue for 6 days. It said it is also considering making similar injections in the No 2 and No 3 reactors.Meanwhile, radiation levels detected in seawater near the plant remain high. The power company said at 11,000 Becquerel’s of radioactive iodine-131 per cubic centimeter in seawater samples collected is 280,000 times higher than the maximum allowed under the government's standards.Nuclear experts are suggesting the government revise the radioactive standards for evacuation advisories.

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