Can any normal tourist get inside of the area? What are the health risks of spending an afternoon there (~3 hours)? Seems like a very unique place to visit if possible and not too dangerous.
I've read accounts of tourists going there - it's fine, as long as you follow the guide's directions completely. (e.g., if you put something metal down on the ground, it's not coming back with you.)
What's wrong with putting something metal down?
I'm not a physicist, so if someone can explain why, I'd love to hear it - but basically, putting something metal down in a radioactive area means it becomes radioactive, too. I assume that the radiation transmutes metals into radioactive elements?