The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held a briefing yesterday, 23 March 2011, in Vienna on the Japanese nuclear crisis stemming from the 12 March 2011 earthquake and subsequent Tsunami.

Special Adviser on Scientific and Technical Affairs Graham Andrew noted that "although the overall situation remains of serious concern" there were some positive developments related to the availability of electrical power to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants. He also said that AC power is now available at units 1, 2 and 4 and power has been restored to some instrumentation in all units except unit 3.

Mr. Andrew stated that according to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, radioactivity from the Fukushima Daiichi power plant has been detected in milk, drinking water, and vegetables, with radioactive iodine present in some of the samples in concentrations above Japanese regulatory limits and caesium showing up at lower concentrations.

Radioactive iodine, the main contaminant detected so far, accumulates in the body if ingested, particularly in the thyroid gland, increasing the risk of thyroid cancer. These risks are significantly higher for children who are exposed, but radioactive iodine has a half-life of eight days and decays naturally within weeks. Taking potassium iodide is an established method to prevent the accumulation of radioactive iodine in the thyroid.

Mr. Andrew further went on to say; "The Tokyo Metropolitan Water office has stated that levels of Iodine 131 in tap water at the purification plant were found to be above the concentration level for drinking water for infants, but below the level for adults. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has requested that tap water in Tokyo is not used as drinking water for infants."

In joint documents issued in response to growing international concerns over the safety of food produced in Japan, the IAEA, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) said that while some foods produced in Japan are likely to be contaminated by radio nuclides at levels unsuitable for human consumption, there is no evidence food has been contaminated in any other country.

The agencies advise that people avoid the following longer-term actions in areas confirmed to be seriously contaminated:

• Consuming locally produced milk or vegetables
• Slaughtering animals
• Consuming and harvesting aquatic animals and plants, including fish, shellfish, and algae
• Hunting
• Gathering mushrooms or other wild or collected foods

Credit: United Nations and IAEA