Radiation in Mass. rainwater likely from Japan

Monday, March 28, 2011

Health officials said Sunday one sample of Massachusetts rainwater has registered very low concentrations of radiation, most likely from the Japanese nuclear power plant damaged by an earthquake and tsunami.

John Auerbach, the Massachusetts commissioner of public health, said that radioiodine-131 found in the sample — one of more than 100 that have been taken around the country — is short lived. He said the drinking water supply in the state was unaffected and officials do not expect any health concerns.

Nevada and other Western states also have reported minuscule amounts of radiation, but scientists say those presented no health risks.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said the in-state sample was taken in the past week, but they did not say where. The testing is part of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency network that monitors for radioactivity.

State officials said similar testing was done in California, Pennsylvania, Washington and other states, and showed comparable levels of I-131 in rain.

Massachusetts testing last week of samples from the Quabbin and Wachusett reservoirs showed no detectable levels of I-131, officials said.

Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. directed the Department of Environmental Protection to collect additional samples for testing from several water bodies across Massachusetts. Results will be available over the next several days.

More like this story

soxfan 2 years, 1 month ago

i dont know what is happening in mo. but i was told by a pharmacist working at a chain store pharmacy here in a chicago suburb that the government is pulling all of the potassium iodine pills from the shelves because of the problem in japan leaving us with none

don l chicago

Please review our Policies and Procedures before registering or commenting

Or login with:

OpenID

News Tribune