US Ends Probe of Nuke Sub in JapanAugust 30, 2008
Associated Press
TOKYO - Japan has received a final U.S. report concluding that small amounts of radiation escaped from a faulty valve on an American nuclear-powered submarine during Japanese port visits but posed no health or environmental threat, the Foreign Ministry said.
The U.S. Navy disclosed in early August that the USS Houston had leaked water containing radiation during several calls to Sasebo and Okinawa in southern Japan and Yokosuka near Tokyo between July 2006 and April 2008.
U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission James P. Zumwalt submitted the report Friday, saying the Navy investigation concluded that the leakage in the three ports totaled 0.6 micro curies, or less than one-millionth of a curie, which posed no danger to Japan, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement obtained Saturday. The ministry provided a copy of the report.
"The trace levels of radioactivity would have no adverse effect on human health, marine life, or the environment," the U.S. report said. "The radiation exposure dose would be less than that received from a routine chest X-ray."
The report said the U.S. Navy was improving the valve's quality before sending the submarine back into operation.
Rest of article at:
http://www.military.com/news/article/us-ends-probe-of-nuke-sub-in-japan.html?wh=wh
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
