Radioactivity levels high in Japan

Radioactivity levels high in Japan

Radioactivity levels high in the sea off Japan nuclear plant
Radioactivity levels are soaring in seawater near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi plant, Japan's nuclear safety agency said Saturday, two weeks after the nuclear power plant was hit by a massive earthquake and tsunami.

Even as engineers tried to pump puddles of radioactive water from the power plant 150 miles north of Tokyo, the nuclear safety agency said tests Friday showed radioactive iodine had spiked 1,250 times higher than normal in the seawater just offshore from the plant.

Officials said iodine 131 levels in seawater 19 miles from the coastal nuclear complex were within acceptable limits established by regulations and the contamination posed little risk to aquatic life.
"Ocean currents will disperse radiation particles and so it will be very diluted by the time it gets consumed by fish and seaweed," said Hidehiko Nishiyama, a senior official from Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency.

Despite that reassurance, the disclosure may well heighten international concern over Japanese seafood exports. Several countries have already banned milk and produce from areas around the Fukushima Daiichi plant, while others have been monitoring Japanese seafood.

Lowe's to Donate $1 Million to Red Cross Relief Efforts in Japan

Lowe's to Donate $1 Million to Red Cross Relief Efforts in Japan

(NYSE: LOW) announced today the company will donate $1 million to support the Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami relief effort that is assisting victims in Japan. Lowes.com and Lowe's Canada website, Lowes.ca, will also serve as donation points for customers who wish to contribute to the American Red Cross and Canadian Red Cross, making it convenient for people who want to join Lowe's in making a difference.

"We are truly grateful for Lowe's generosity to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "Lowe's support is enabling the Red Cross to provide critical assistance and essential relief items in this time of urgent need." The Red Cross already has committed $10 million to assist the people of Japan.

Local volunteers are handing out relief items, including more than 65,000 blankets. More than 100 medical teams, made up of more than 700 people, are providing assistance in the most affected areas through mobile medical clinics.

Woman Grandson Found Under Rubble in Japan

Woman Grandson Found Under Rubble in Japan

TOKYO — An 80-year-old woman and her teenage grandson were rescued Sunday in northeastern Japan when the youth was able to pull himself out of their flattened two-story house nine days after the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Jin Abe, 16, was seen calling out for help from the roof of the collapsed home in the hard-hit city of Ishinomaki, according to the Miyagi Prefectural Police. Like other homes in northeastern Japan, they had lost electricity and telephone service in the March 11 earthquake.

He led them inside to his 80-year-old grandmother, Sumi Abe. Both were conscious but weak, and had survived on the food they had in their refrigerator, said Shizuo Kawamura of the Ishinomaki police department.

The woman could not get out of the house because she has trouble walking, and the teenager, who was suffering from a low body temperature, had been unable until Sunday to pull himself from the wreckage, Kawamura told The Associated Press by telephone.