BEIJING: There is no evidence of a significant spread of radiation from Japan's crippled nuclear plants, the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday, calling on people to remain calm and not spread rumours.
Japan's nuclear crisis appeared to be spinning out of control after workers withdrew briefly from a stricken power plant because of surging radiation levels, but desperate efforts to avert a catastrophic meltdown quickly resumed.
Early on Wednesday, another fire broke out at the earthquake-crippled facility, which has sent low levels of radiation wafting into Tokyo in the past 24 hours, triggering fear in the capital and international alarm.
Radiation levels in Russia's Far East rose slightly on Tuesday but stayed within normal levels, Russian officials said.
Unfounded messages have circulated online and via text messages across parts of Asia that a radiation cloud from Japan was spreading rapidly.
Weather forecasters, however, expect winds to blow the radiation out across the Pacific.
"The World Health Organization would like to assure governments and members of the public that there is no evidence at this time of any significant international spread from the nuclear site," Michael O'Leary, WHO representative in China, said in a statement.
The WHO is working with Japan's government and the International Atomic Energy Agency to assess the situation, and does not think there is significant risk to health for people outside a 30 km exclusion zone around the facility, he added.
"Rumours have been circulating by text messaging and other means of a threatening radiation cloud spreading across Asia and beyond from the damaged nuclear facilities in Japan," O'Leary said.
"Governments and members of the public are encouraged to take steps to halt these rumours, which are harmful to public morale.
The situation is being monitored closely.
More information would be shared promptly should the risk become more widespread."
One text message, which purported to be based on a news report, warned of the imminent arrival of radiation over the Philippines, advising people to stay out of the rain and swab their necks with iodine.
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