According to a research report issued by Environmental Research Institute-Tokyo, if accidents requiring evacuation were to occur at the Sendai (Kagoshima) and Genkai (Saga) nuclear power plants, radiation would likely disperse beyond the 30 km radius known as the urgent protective action planning zone, or UPZ. Depending on the direction of the wind, radiation could even reach the cities of Kagoshima and Fukuoka, respectively. The study used radioactive cesium and iodine levels recorded in and around Iidate Village, Fukushima on March 15, 2011, the largest releases of radioactive materials on record, for its simulations. About 57,000 residents near the Sendai plant are supposed to evacuate to Kagoshima City, but if a Fukushima-level event occurred, this might not be possible depending on wind conditions. Meanwhile, the simulation indicates that radiation levels in Fukuoka City could reach as high as 56 microsieverts in Nishi-ku, 32 microsieverts in Sawara-ku, 30 microsieverts in Jonan-ku, and 29 microsieverts in Minami-ku. City Hall officials said they want the the central government to issue guidelines for municipalities outside the UPZ as soon as possible. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 6/23
(photo is not related to Kyushu – used for image purpose only)
