Japan Nuclear Crisis: Radiation Exposure Fears Grow After Blast, Fire

Officials Warn People to Stay Indoors Within 30-Kilometer Radius

By DAVID MUIR, JESSICA HOPPER and DEAN SCHABNER

March 15, 2011

The threat of radiation exposure was heightened Tuesday following an explosion and fire at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant which later prompted officials to warn people in a 30-kilometer (19-mile) radius to stay indoors.

"Please do not go outside. Please stay indoors. Please close windows and make your homes airtight. Don't turn on ventilators. Please hang your laundry indoors," Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano said to the residents in the danger zone. "These are figures that potentially affect health. There is no mistake about that."

According to the Associated Press, about 140,000 people were impacted by the warning.

Hours after the explosion and fire, elevated levels of radiation were detected in Tokyo, 175 miles away, though government officials said there was no health risk there, according to the Associated Press.

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