Japanese crisis: Radioactive particles from Fukushima found in Iceland

Published on Tuesday 22 March 2011 17:43

Minuscule numbers of radioactive particles believed to have come from Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant have been detected as far away as Iceland.

Traces of iodine-131, below levels of concern for human health, were discovered in an air filter at a radiation monitoring centre in Reykjavik at the weekend, the Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority (IRSA) said. It marks the first detection in a European nation.

Iodine-131 had also been recorded in places including Newfoundland in Canada and the western United States, consistent with a spreading plume, IRSA said. Iodine-131, linked to cancer if found in high doses, contaminates products such as milk and vegetables.

"It's only a matter of days before it disperses in the entire northern hemisphere," said Andreas Stohl, a senior scientist at the Norwegian Institute for Air Research. "Over Europe, there would be no concern about human health." Mr Palsson added: "From a health aspect, the focus is on Japan."

The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation, a Vienna-based UN body for monitoring possible breaches of the nuclear bomb test ban, has 63 stations worldwide. Fears of contamination near the Fukushima reactors have led to a ban on drinking from local water supplies.