Concerned residents in Minami Soma city request in-air radiation readings from local officials

"The highest level recorded was 2.45 microsieverts per hour at 1 meter above the ground in the houses' backyards"

From NHK:

Concerns over radioactive contamination are growing among people living next to the new evacuation advisory zones near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

The people live just outside an area in Date and Minami Soma cities that the government last week designated for voluntary evacuation.

On Monday evening, Minami Soma city officials visited the homes of 5 families in Jisabara district, next to the zones.

The officials checked the radiation levels around the houses at the request of the concerned residents.

The highest level recorded was 2.45 microsieverts per hour at 1 meter above the ground in the houses' backyards.

The mother of an 8-year-old girl said she has been worried since the nuclear accident in March. She said she thinks it is a bit late for city officials to address their concerns.

Minami Soma City says it will consult with the central government about the findings.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 10:49 +0900 (JST)

That's over 20 milliSievert per year at constant exposures. These people should seriously leave. Nothing justifies taking chances with an 8 year old child.