http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-japan-tokyo-water-20110324,0,7951826.storyInfants in Tokyo and five surrounding cities should not be allowed to consume tap water, the city's government said Wednesday after elevated levels of radioactive iodine from a crippled nuclear plant were detected at a water treatment plant.
Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan urged consumers to not eat a dozen types of contaminated vegetables from the region surrounding the nuclear facility 150 miles northeast of the capital and also expanded a shipment ban.
Water tests in Tokyo found levels of radioactive iodine 131 at 210 becquerels per liter Tuesday and 190 becquerels per liter on Wednesday morning, about double the level of 100 becquerels per liter deemed safe for children under the age of 1. A level of 300 becquerels per liter is considered safe for adults.
Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara said the city's water was safe for "non-potable" use and urged residents to remain calm. But some convenience stores were sold out of bottled water late Wednesday.
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