The Fukushima nuclear plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. (Tepco) has admitted for the first time that radioactive groundwater is flowing into the sea that could poison the marine life.
The Japan Times reports that groundwater samples taken at the battered plant showed that levels of cesium-134 had shot up more than 110 times in a few days.
According to the report, radioactive substances released by the reactor core meltdowns at the plant after the earthquake and tsunami of March 2011 has been leaking from damaged buildings and mingling with the ground water.
Earlier, Tepco had said that the toxic groundwater was being contained by concrete foundations and steel sheets.
Environmental experts have warned that the festering radioactive sore could contaminate the food chain by tainting marine life and humans who eat it.
Around 2,000 people who worked at the plant now face a heightened risk of thyroid cancer, the report added.
Tepco said that it would step up efforts to reduce underground water contamination by consolidating soil near its harbor.
