# 5616
Photo credit NHK World News - Video Link
Those with long memories will recall that it was concerns over the accumulation of radioactive strontium-90 in milk (and in humans that consumed that milk) that led to the banning of above-ground nuclear testing in 1963.
Prior to that time, incredibly, hundreds of above-ground atomic tests were conducted all around the world, releasing significant quantities of radioactive isotopes including (americium-241, cesium-137, iodine-131, strontium-90).
But it was strontium-90 - which acts much like calcium in the human body - that was of particular concern as it ends up deposited in bones and teeth, raising serious concerns over future cancer risks.
Back in April Crofsblog carried an NHK report on low levels (3.3 to 32 becquerels) of Strontium-90 detected last March in regions around the stricken power plant (see Fukushima: Strontium-90 detected outside 30 km zone).
Today, NHK World News is reporting on considerably higher levels of strontium-90 detected in some of the eleven samples taken outside of the 30km evacuation zone – including Fukushima City - some 60 km from the site of the nuclear accident.
Survey: strontium widespread in Fukushima
Thursday, June 09, 2011 06:02 +0900 (JST)
Soil samples from around Fukushima Prefecture have revealed concentrations of radioactive strontium.
Japan's science ministry conducted a survey for radioactive substances at 11 locations in 10 municipalities from late March to mid-May.
It says strontium-90 was detected in all 11 locations.
In Namie Town, the reading stood at 250 becquerels per kilogram of soil, while in Iitate Village the reading was 120 becquerels per kilogram. The readings in the other locations were between 2 and 18 becquerels.
According to this report, Japan’s Nuclear Safety Commission insists that the detected levels of strontium are minor, and do not pose any immediate health risk.
A radiation expert at a hospital in Fukushima City disagrees. Dr. Doctor Osamu Saito says even small quantities of strontium-90 pose a high health risk.
Whatever the ultimate health risks involved, the news of greater radioactive contamination – particularly from a persistent isotope like strontium - is bound to increase the public’s concerns.
As I wrote yesterday (see A Different Kind Of Nuclear Fallout), public confidence in the safety of nuclear energy production in Japan will be crucial if the plants that are shut down now – or are scheduled for maintenance shutdown over the next 12 months – are to be restarted.
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