Photo/Illutration The Advanced Liquid Processing System, which removes most of the radioactive substances from contaminated water, at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant (Takeshi Iwashita)

Five workers were accidentally splashed with liquid containing radioactive materials while cleaning at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. said. 

Two of the five workers were hospitalized for decontamination treatment and medical observation, the utility reported on Oct. 26.

A doctor determined the possibility of both men sustaining burns due to radiation exposure was low, according to TEPCO.

No injuries to the skin were found on the exposed areas, and the two have not shown any major changes in their health, the utility said.

The accident occurred at around 10:40 a.m. on Oct. 25 when the five workers were cleaning the piping for the plant’s Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), which is used to treat contaminated water accumulated at the plant.

They were washing by pouring nitric acid into the piping. The hose used to drain waste liquid containing radioactive substances into a tank became detached and around 100 milliliters of the fluid spilled out, TEPCO said.

The liquid splashed onto the five workers. They were wearing protective gear and full-face masks, which prevented ingestion of the fluid.

However, the liquid reached the skin of four workers. Despite immediate rinsing at the plant, the radiation levels of the bodies of two men did not fall below the standard threshold of 4 becquerels per square centimeter.

Thus, the two workers--one in his 20s whose entire body was found to be exposed, and the other in his 40s whose lower body and both arms were confirmed to be exposed--were transported to a hospital in Fukushima city on the night of Oct. 25.

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