Japan's nuclear crisis worsened Tuesday, as officials raised the threat level from a 5 to a 7, topping the international scale. This comes as trace amounts of radiation is found in more milk in America, this time in Arkansas.
When we posted the above information on Facebook Tuesday morning, many of you had questions about radiation and how it's measured in our area. Here's what we found out.
The Department of Health and Environmental has 12 radiation monitors, called thermoluminescent dosimeters, or TLD, that surround each nuclear power plant in South Carolina, including HB Robinson nuclear plant in Hartsville.
Mary Bright, DHEC's Public Information Director, says the TLD's are left in place for three months at a time and give a cumulative "summary" of radiation exposure.
Bright says, in addition, two air monitors are also situated at each nuclear facility. These monitors run for one week at a time and the samples collected are compared to the information reported to DHEC by each nuclear facility.
She says since the Japan incident, the TLD's have been collected and replaced with new ones (first week of April) and the air monitoring has been run continuously.
In addition to that, rain water or precipitation samples have been collected from Columbia, Jenkinsville and Rock Hill.
Bright says the initial results from this monitoring showed minor levels of Iodine-131 that do not pose a health concern or threat. These levels are 100,000 times less than someone would get from a round-trip international flight. A summary of this monitoring is posted on DHEC's website.
She adds that finished drinking water samples have also been collected from Columbia, Hartsville, Jenkinsville and Seneca. These samples are currently being analyzed at the DHEC state laboratory. Results are expected within the next few days.
We often hear the term "trace amount" used. We asked Bright what that means. She says it means barely detectable.
Radiological materials can have varying effects on human health and the human body. Scientific research over the last hundred-plus years has determined what levels cause both short-term and long-term health effects. Over the years, scientists and researchers have developed an idea of the safe levels of exposure for humans, animals and the environment. These same scientists have developed increasing better ways to detect even the tiniest amounts of radiation, far below any potential health concern or health threat.
She says according to the US Food and Drug Administration, seafood, frozen seafood and milk remain safe.
The FDA is the lead agency tracking and monitoring food sources. You can visit their website for more information.
