Radioactive traces in Water: adverse Effects of the Japan Earthquake

Severel information sources report increased radioactivity in water (read among others [1], [2], [3], [4]) and other commestibles (like milk and vegetables). Accordingly, the current perimeter of proven radioactively contaminated drinking water ranges until Tokyo (about 350 km or about 220 miles away from Fukushima nuclear power plant). So far it is said that the levels are not abnormal, however, it seems that particular attention is paid to the issue of radioactive contamination of drinking water - this in particular with regard to the fact that it has been reported that the population living under toughest conditions in the area hit by the quake and the tsunami obvioulsy runs short on drinking water. Whether and how the supply of drinking water (infrastructure etc.) is re-established remains unclear [5]. One thing seems to be clear right now: the long-term effects of the dreadful quake, the tsunami and the harmful destruction of the nuclear power plant will have a strong influence on the further development in social, ecnomic and environmental terms.

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