Traces of 'Fukushima radiation' detected in Scotland

LOW levels of radioactive iodine believed to be from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan have been detected in Scotland.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said an air sampler in Glasgow had picked up the particles which they believe could be from the plant.

Emergency workers have been struggling to prevent a meltdown at the plant in the north east of Japan since it was damaged following the earthquake and tsunami on March 11.

Dr James Gemmill, Sepa's radioactive substances manager, said: "The concentration of iodine detected is extremely low and is not of concern for the public or the environment.

"The fact that such a low concentration of this radionuclide was detected demonstrates how effective the surveillance programme for radioactive substances is in the UK.

"Sepa has an ongoing comprehensive monitoring programme for radioactivity in Scotland and has increased the level of scrutiny to provide ongoing public assurance during this period."