Japan's gov't panel mulls interim goals on radiation

A government panel is calling for Japan''s one-millisievert annual radiation limit to be eased for the interim, saying it will be difficult to restrict exposure in some areas near the troubled Fukushima nuclear plant. The environment is contaminated by radioactive substances in areas hit by fallout from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, causing concern that residents may be exposed to radiation for long periods, Japan''s NHK World website reported. The panel on radiation believes it will be difficult to keep their dose below the one-millisievert limit set by the government for normal times and proposed on Thursday to set an interim exposure target. It said the target should be set between one and 20 millisieverts in line with recommendations by the International Commission for Radiological Protection. The panel said the target should be lowered in steps as decontamination progresses. It adds that targets could differ by region and that residents should have a voice in setting the targets. The panel will wrap up its proposal at its next meeting, but its plan to ease the radiation exposure limit is expected to arouse controversy.