Atomic Plant Cesium Spreads to 18 Japanese Prefectures

"Radioactive cesium emitted by Japan's damaged Fukushima Daiichi atomic facility has turned up in atmospheric readings in 18 of the nation's prefectures, according to figures issued on Friday by the Japanese Science Ministry...

"Cesium 134 and cesium 137 isotopes had reached levels in excess of 30,000 becquerels per square meter in sections of southern Iwate and eastern Nagano prefectures.

"Levels higher than 60,000 becquerels per square meter turned up close to the boundary dividing the cities of Oshu and Ichinoseki and near the division between the jurisdictions of Saku and Sakuho." NTI

The Asahi Shimbun reported on this story in more detail, including publishing a map, showing that Fukushima Daiichi's radioactive fallout had contaminated soil to a significant level as far as 250 kilometers (155 miles) from the destroyed reactors.