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The Science and Technology Agency of Japan has decided to establish a committee of experts to examine the extent to which residents living near the uranium-processing facility in Tokaimura, Ibaraki Prefecture were affected in the nation's worst nuclear accident that occurred on September 30 ( Down To Earth , Vol 8, No 11).

In a previous survey the agency revealed, 49 people including company employees were exposed to radiation in the accident. However, it plans to conduct a full-scale survey to examine the extent of the exposure and analyse its possible effects, as it is highly likely that more residents were exposed to the radiation, the officials added.

Unlike normal exposure to gamma or alpha rays that are often associated with nuclear plant accidents, the victims of this accident were exposed to large amount of neutrons. But, the neutron levels were not measured until more than six hours after the incident, the officials said. Besides three plant operators, 36 staff affiliated to the company, three ambulance workers, who tried to rescue the operators, and seven people

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