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Worker inhales radioactive material
A 19-year-old male worker took in a small amount of radioactive material at a spent fuel recycling plant in Rokkasho in Aomori Prefecture, operated by Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd., while inspecting solid fuel -- a mixture of uranium and plutonium, said company spokesman Shigehiro Ito.
A preliminary test found a small amount of radiation inside his nose, but no radioactivity was found in his lungs or other parts of his body, although results of a more detailed test are expected come out after 10 days.
The incident was the second in the past several weeks. In late May, a 36-year-old male worker was exposed to radiation at the plant.
The Rokkasho reprocessing plant started test operations on March 31 after a delay caused by a leak of radioactive water in 2002 and strident public opposition.
The Japan Times Weekly: July 1, 2006 (C) All rights reserved
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