#Fukushima I Nuke Plant: Zirconium-95 Found in Sea Water Near Plant

TEPCO announced that zirconium-95 was found in sea water near the exhaust water outlet of Fukushima I Nuclear Plant.

Zirconium is used in cladding of the nuclear fuel rods. "It is possible that part of cladding melted when the used fuel rods were exposed, and dousing of the reactors washed it away into the ocean," according to Yomiuri Shinbun quoting an expert (in Japanese; 8:20AM JST 3/25/2011).

Zirconium-95 is a radioactive isotope of zirconium; half-life of 64 days with beta and gamma radiation. Gastrointestinal absorption rate is very low, at 0.01%.

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