ID :
169770
Mon, 03/21/2011 - 17:37
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https://oananews.org//node/169770
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Traces of radioactive substances detected in water in 9 prefectures
TOKYO, March 21 Kyodo - Trace amounts of radioactive substances were detected in tap water samples collected Sunday and Monday in nine prefectures but they were all below the intake limits set by the Nuclear Safety Commission, according to central and local governments.
Samples collected Sunday showed both radioactive iodine and cesium were found in Tochigi and Gunma, while iodine alone was found in Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Niigata and Yamanashi, showed a nationwide survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
In Fukushima Prefecture, where the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is located, the prefectural government said iodine was detected in a sample collected at 8 a.m. Monday.
Yamanashi appeared in the latest iodine list, even though it was not listed in the previous survey based on samples taken Saturday.
Cesium was detected in a sample in Tokyo on Saturday but was not detected Sunday. Instead, it was detected in Gunma on Sunday, though Gunma was not cited in the previous survey.
In Fukushima, 23 becquerels of iodine were found per kiloliter of water, according to the local government.
Among other prefectures, 10 becquerels of iodine were detected in Tochigi, 5.9 becquerels in Gunma, 2.9 becquerels in Tokyo, and 3.6 becquerels in Niigata, among others, the ministry's tally showed.
As for cesium, 2.8 becquerels were found in Tochigi and 1.2 becquerels in Gunma.
The central government's Nuclear Safety Commission of Japan sets the intake limit for iodine at 300 becquerels per kiloliter of water and 200 becquerels for cesium.
Due to damage caused by the massive earthquake on March 11, research is currently impossible in some areas. Fukushima Prefecture is publishing data based on its own research.
Meanwhile, the government's task force to tackle nuclear accidents instructed municipal governments near the crisis-hit Fukushima plant on Monday to ease conditions under which they require people to undergo mandatory decontamination.
A radiation level of 100,000 counts per minute will be introduced as a new standard for decontamination, up from 6,000 counts per minute, the government said, adding that raising the bar will not endanger health.
The government's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said the decision was made based on advice from domestic nuclear experts and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
As the number of people who want to undergo radiation checks has surged, a lack of staff and equipment for the tests and decontamination was feared.
The task force also urged the municipalities to tell residents not to take iodine preparations that prevent the absorption of radioactive iodine without expert guidance.
The intake of such preparations can help to prevent thyroid cancer but can involve such side effects including allergic reactions.
Samples collected Sunday showed both radioactive iodine and cesium were found in Tochigi and Gunma, while iodine alone was found in Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Niigata and Yamanashi, showed a nationwide survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
In Fukushima Prefecture, where the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is located, the prefectural government said iodine was detected in a sample collected at 8 a.m. Monday.
Yamanashi appeared in the latest iodine list, even though it was not listed in the previous survey based on samples taken Saturday.
Cesium was detected in a sample in Tokyo on Saturday but was not detected Sunday. Instead, it was detected in Gunma on Sunday, though Gunma was not cited in the previous survey.
In Fukushima, 23 becquerels of iodine were found per kiloliter of water, according to the local government.
Among other prefectures, 10 becquerels of iodine were detected in Tochigi, 5.9 becquerels in Gunma, 2.9 becquerels in Tokyo, and 3.6 becquerels in Niigata, among others, the ministry's tally showed.
As for cesium, 2.8 becquerels were found in Tochigi and 1.2 becquerels in Gunma.
The central government's Nuclear Safety Commission of Japan sets the intake limit for iodine at 300 becquerels per kiloliter of water and 200 becquerels for cesium.
Due to damage caused by the massive earthquake on March 11, research is currently impossible in some areas. Fukushima Prefecture is publishing data based on its own research.
Meanwhile, the government's task force to tackle nuclear accidents instructed municipal governments near the crisis-hit Fukushima plant on Monday to ease conditions under which they require people to undergo mandatory decontamination.
A radiation level of 100,000 counts per minute will be introduced as a new standard for decontamination, up from 6,000 counts per minute, the government said, adding that raising the bar will not endanger health.
The government's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said the decision was made based on advice from domestic nuclear experts and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
As the number of people who want to undergo radiation checks has surged, a lack of staff and equipment for the tests and decontamination was feared.
The task force also urged the municipalities to tell residents not to take iodine preparations that prevent the absorption of radioactive iodine without expert guidance.
The intake of such preparations can help to prevent thyroid cancer but can involve such side effects including allergic reactions.
