There is no longer any risk of radiation exposure to local residents following an accident at a nuclear fuel fabrication plant at Tokai-mura, Japan. Consequently, there is also no risk – and there has never been any risk for visitors to Japan not travelling to the immediate vicinity of the power plant - WHO announced today.

The fissioning of the uranium 235 has ceased and the emergency situation is now well under control at the plant, according to updated information from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about the accident that occurred on 30 September 1999. Radiation emissions have stopped completely and no radioactive materials have been released for many days.

Precautionary measures taken were: evacuation of local residents in the immediate vicinity and asking residents to stay indoors until further notice. All residents have been able to resume normal activities for some days now.

The accident was always confined to the immediate vicinity of the fabrication plant. Dr Mike Repacholi, Co-ordinator of Occupational and Environmental Health at WHO said: "There is now no further risk to the health of nearby residents. Most important for tourists, there is no danger from radioactive emissions in any area of Japan."

All WHO Press Releases, Fact Sheets and Features as well as other information on this subject can be obtained on Internet on the WHO home page http://www.who.int