A "mind-boggling" amount of radioactive cesium, or twice the amount previously thought, may have spewed from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant after the March 11, 2011 meltdown, Japanese scientists said Wednesday.

 

Also, French scientists announced Tuesday that the amount of cesium released caused a chronic and lasting contamination of the environment. It was essential for Japan to maintain vigilant monitoring of fruit, milk, mushrooms, game and fish, they said.

According to the United States Geological Survey, it took only 18 days for the radioactive particles from Fukushima to circle the globe.

In Vermont, state officials have just confirmed finding trace amounts of Fukushima's cesium-134 and cesium-137. The state said they would continue the collection of samples from surface and drinking water, milk, vegetation and maple products.