Now the Japanese authorities have raised the severity rating of their nuclear crisis to the highest level, seven. This level previously only applied to Chernobyl, where 10 times as much radiation was emitted.
However, the decision affects the total release of radiation, which is ongoing, not a sudden deterioration.
I've seen no new articles in the medical press, but BBC News Health has a questions and answers section on health effects of radiation (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12722435?print=true)
