Radiation safety

Five nuclear power plant workers suffer 'unheard of levels of exposure' when bag containing plutonium splits during routine inspection in Japan

Five workers at a nuclear research facility in east Japan were exposed to radioactive material on Tuesday after a bag that contained it burst, the plant's state-run operator said.

The incident occurred during a routine inspection on radioactive storage inside a 'controlled' room at the Oarai Research & Development Center, with no radioactive material leaking outside, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) said in a statement.

The agency said its initial survey found contamination inside the nostrils of three of the five men - a sign they inhaled radioactive dust. 

All five were also found to be contaminated on their limbs after removing protective gear and taking a shower, which would have washed off most contamination.