Radioactive Japanese Cars Seized in Russia's Far East

Forty nine cars shipped from Japan were held Friday in Vladivostok in Russia's Far East after tests showed they had radiation levels six times the legal limit.

The cars were stopped at the customs checkpoint in Vladivostok ten days ago and are now packed into boxes, waiting for authorities' decision on whether to use or abandon them.

The Far Eastern customs checkpoints have been equipped with radiation detectors and portable radiation meters to check imports. Customs inspectors found traces of the radioactive isotopes cesium-127 and uranium-238 on some of the used cars.

Imports from Japan are being closely monitored by Russian authorities for a possible radiation contamination as its neighbor is struggling to avert a major nuclear leakage.