Japan’s Nuclear Disaster Rating Raised to Highest Level |
Japan raised the severity of its nuclear disaster to the highest level on an internationally-recognized scale Tuesday, as the aftereffects of the devastating earthquake and tsunami continue.
Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant now stands at a 7-rating on the scale, which stands at 5. A level 7 event includes a considerable release of radiation with widespread health and environmental effects, while a 5-rated event, which is what Fukushima was classified as, is a limited release of radioactive material, with several deaths from radiation, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"This is a preliminary assessment, and is subject to finalization by the International Atomic Energy Agency," said an official at the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA).
Japan's infrastructure and economy have taken a crushing blow since the March earthquake. Since then, tsunamis and innumerable aftershock quakes have made recovery even more difficult.
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