Trace Amounts of Radiation Confirmed in Air, Rainwater in Several States

Even though radiation from the damaged nuclear plant in Fukushima, Japan, has yet to reach levels of concern in the United States, radioactive isotopes from the Japanese nuclear power plant have still been found in several states across the country.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said on March 28 that 12 different RadNet network air monitors across the U.S. had detected radioactive isotopes in the air. The radiation-positive samples were taken in the states of Hawaii, California, Idaho, Alaska, Nevada, Alabama and Washington. Additionally, radioactive isotopes, specifically iodine-131, were found in the U.S. territories of Guam, Saipan, and Northern Mariana Islands, all of which are located in the Pacific Ocean near Japan. Radioactive iodine-131 has also been found in rainwater in both Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

Even though radiation from the Japanese nuclear power plant has been found in several states and U.S. territories, the EPA is emphasizing that the levels are still well below the allowed levels and are very unlikely to pose an environmental or human health problem to residents.

Iodine-131 is the radioactive isotope of the most concern generally because it is a common by-product of nuclear fission and because it has the potential to cause cancer since it is readily absorbed by the thyroid in the body. RadNet monitors have also detected radioactive iodine-132, tellurium-132, and cesium-137.

Following the nuclear power plant disaster in Fukushima after an 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit Japan on the afternoon of Friday, March 11, fears over dangerous radiation reaching the U.S. have been spreading like wildfire. In fact, many residents along the West Coast have been stocking up on potassium iodide tablets just in case dangerous radioactive iodine reaches the area. However, experts and government officials have been actively working to reassure residents that the damage at the Fukushima nuclear plant will not have Chernobyl-like implications for the U.S. In fact, public officials and experts have stated that while the U.S. could see radiation making its way across the 5,000 miles of Pacific Ocean, it's incredibly unlikely that radiation will reach levels of concern or pose problems to human health.

Radiation is a dangerous to human health because it has the ability to mutate the genetic sequence of DNA. After DNA is mutated, cells created from the original will be genetically different, which is the source of many cancers. However, there are also immediate bodily responses to radiation exposure, including nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Additionally, if radiation exposure is high enough, death is possible within hours. Still, high levels of radiation exposure are incredibly rare and even some scientists believe that exposure to low levels are beneficial to human health.

Rachel Krech provides an in-depth look at current environmental issues and local Chicago news stories. As a college student from the Chicago suburbs pursuing two science degrees, she applies her knowledge and passion to both topics to garner further public awareness.