EU fixes post-Japan nuclear safety overhaul

John Eastman submits: The world has watched with great concern the news and information surrounding the largest recorded earthquake (magnitude 9.0 ) in Japanese history. As reported, the quake was the underlying factor in major tsunamis that ravaged the northern Japan coastlines and damaged three nuclear reactor facilities.

Power was lost to the cooling systems to virtually all of the spent fuel pools at Fukushima for more than a day.

The risk from radioactive contamination of food depends on several factors but the duration of the problem depends especially on which type of radioactive element is to blame, say experts.Japan on Saturday said that it had discovered abnormal levels of radiation in milk and spinach from areas near Fukushima, and in tap water in Tokyo and five central prefectures, but there was no threat to health.

The spiking radiation in Japan is prompting other countries to test imports from Japan, but any contamination would have the biggest impact on the Japanese, since most food produced is consumed domestically.

Article written by Prieur du Plessis, editor of the Investment Postcards from Cape Town blog.Nuclear physicist Kirby Kemper gives his assessment of the Japan nuclear crisis, including the likelihood of a meltdown and radiation risks.

[AP] - In the first sign that contamination from Japan's stricken nuclear complex had seeped into the food chain, officials said Saturday that radiation levels in spinach and milk from farms near the tsunami-crippled facility exceeded government safety limits.