At least three patients at a hospital near the reactor have been exposed to radiation and require decontamination. The three reportedly have not yet shown any reaction or physical symptoms of the radioactivity. NISA said the number of people exposed to radiation could reach 160.Reactor 1, they fear, has already melted down.
Japanese authorities say they are making preparations to distribute iodine pills to residents in the area of both plants. The pills can help protect against thyroid cancer, since they inhibit the thyroid's absorption of radioactive iodine from the atmosphere.
About 170,000 people living within a 20-kilometre radius around Fukushima Dai-ichi have been evacuated, reports the International Atomic Energy Agency.
A physicist says it could be a Chernobyl in the making - excellent video from ABC:
Air from reactor 3 is being released into the air. More here.
Radiation at the plant is 1000 times normal.
