JAPANESE FOOD, WATER RADIATES

Radioactive Food Worries Expand in Japan
Steve Herman, March 20, 2011 (Voice of America)

"Japanese government officials say…[radiation on produce, in milk and in tap water] is being detected in a wider than expected area. Some shipments are now being stopped, although authorities stress that ingesting the items will not immediately harm people…

"Japan is now halting the sale of raw milk from Fukushima prefecture and spinach from Ibaraki prefecture…[T]wo more vegetables, canola and chrysanthemum greens, have also been found to be contaminated and in three more prefectures…Further restrictions on distribution of crops…are being considered…[O]fficials say even in the worst cases of radiation detected in the food, a person would have to consume the items for a year before health concerns would arise."

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"Another worry is rising levels of radioactive iodine and cesium in tap water, with the highest concentrations in Tochigi and Ibaraki prefectures…[Deputy chief cabinet secretary Tetsuro Fukuyama] was asked if he would allow his children to drink the contaminated milk and tap water and eat spinach…[He said] he does not allow his children to drink milk…even before this incident…[R]egarding the spinach and the tap water, at the current radiation concentrations, he would not hesitate to permit his children to consume [them]…

"…[S]ome suspect produce may have been shipped before it could be tested for radiation…Traces of radioactive substances in the air and water, believed to emanate from the crippled nuclear plant, have been detected as far as Tokyo, 250 kilometers away…[Officials have asked] the public to act calmly and not be confused by groundless rumors from unreliable sources."

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"The food and water contamination scares are a further headache for Japan's government, already overwhelmed by the triple crises of extensive earthquake damage, destroyed communities from the resulting tsunami, and the disaster at the six-reactor Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant…[which] continues to emit high levels of radiation as workers attempt to restore power for critical pumps and firefighters in tandem spray water on reactor buildings and re-fill fuel-rod cooling pools…

"Yet another concern is on the horizon. Weather forecasters predict rain showers…Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency says the precipitation would not pose any health worries, but given the current levels of radioactivity, people should avoid getting wet while outdoors."