Japan to scrap workers' annual radiation dose limit at normal times

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.istockanalyst.com/business/news/5093600/japan-to-scrap-workers-annual-radiation-dose-limit-at-normal-times

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 5:24 PM

TOKYO, Apr. 27, 2011 (Kyodo News International) -- The health ministry plans to scrap the annual radiation dose limit for nuclear power plant workers at normal times for the meantime to secure enough workers for maintenance and checkups of nuclear power plants other than the crisis-hit Fukushima power station, sources close to the matter said Wednesday.

Under Japanese law, nuclear workers cannot be exposed to more than 50 millisieverts in one year and more than 100 millisieverts over five years.

The ministry, however, is expected to maintain the 100-millisievert rule, as there is medical evidence that exposure to radiation exceeding 100 millisieverts could increase the risk of developing leukemia and cancer, according to the sources.

[TheWraith]

1. In case anyone's wondering, light illness begins at 1,000 millisieverts.

A usually fatal dose is around 5,000 millisieverts.