Radioactive particles found in rainwater across S. Korea
Traces of radioactive particles have been detected in rainwater across South Korea following the release of contaminants from a stricken nuclear power plant in Japan, but the levels are too small to pose any risks to humans or the environment, according to the country's nuclear safety agency.
The Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety said detailed analysis of rainwater Thursday showed traces of iodine-131 in 11 of the 12 detection centers nationwide, with cesium-134 picked up in five locations and cesium-137 in four.
The highest levels of iodine-131, celsium-134 and celsium-137 in rainwater were all detected at the center closest to Japan, on Jeju Island off South Korea's southern coast.
The concentration levels are all far too low to pose any health risks even if a person were to drink 2 liters of such rainwater every day for a year, KINS officials said, according to Yonhap News Agency.
''We have westerly winds prevailing, and it is unlikely the air above Fukushima containing radioactive substances has come directly to Korea. So we see the rain as not harmful to human beings,'' Lee Ho Young, the prime minister's secretary, was quoted as saying by the Korea Times.
Despite such government assurances, many South Koreans have been wearing raincoats in addition to carrying umbrellas, many schools have suspended classes and worried parents have brought their kids to and from open schools by car.
The institute also detected minuscule traces of iodine and cesium radionuclides in the air in all 12 detection centers across the country, Yonhap reported.
The samples were collected from special air filters from 10 a.m. Wednesday through 10 a.m. Thursday.
''There was a slight rise in radioactive cesium in the atmosphere, but the amount is to minuscule to actually be a health threat,'' the institute said. It added that both iodine and cesium concentration numbers should rise and fall in the coming days.
KINC President Yun Choul was quoted by the Korea Herald as saying that considering the direction of the air current, the materials have arrived on the Korean Peninsula after traveling around the world on the prevailing westerly winds, not right from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.
South Korea has stepped up monitoring of radiation levels around the country after concerns about radiation leaks surfaced in the wake of the March 11 massive earthquake that crippled the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Yonhap reported that sales of various seaweed products considered helpful in protecting the body against radioactive particles are booming, while there has also been a rush to market protective masks, umbrellas and rain coats as well as air filters.
==Kyodo
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