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50. CNN: Fukushima's nuclear power mess: Five big questions

Fukushima's nuclear power mess: Five big questions
Tokyo (CNN) -- The meltdowns of three reactors at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant may have happened more than two years ago, but the disaster remains a giant, unresolved mess.

An earthquake in 2011 triggered a tsunami which slammed into the plant, disabling it. The threat of radiation forced neighbors to evacuate and many still can't return to their homes. Authorities face many challenges before they can make the facility safe again for the long term.


Here are five of the biggest questions still out there:

1. How dangerous for your health is Fukushima?

Data published in August shows 44 out of 216,809 children under age 18 in Fukushima prefecture were diagnosed with thyroid cancer or suspected of having the disease. The figure is far higher than the international average but opinions are split as to whether this is because of the nuclear accident or because of more sensitive screening. Also, health experts say it takes years after radiation exposure to develop thyroid cancer, which suggests the cause of the cancer may predate the tsunami.

READ MORE: VIDEO: http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/07/world/fukushima-nuclear-power-disaster-problems/index.html?hpt=hp_c4
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