Fukushima iodine detected in Glasgow

Low levels of radioactive iodine thought to be from the crippled Fukushima power plant in Japan have been detected in Glasgow. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) revealed today that […]

Low levels of radioactive iodine thought to be from the crippled Fukushima power plant in Japan have been detected in Glasgow.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) revealed today that an air sampler reported the presence of the radioactive material.

The value reported is extremely low and is consistent with reports from other European countries such as Iceland and Switzerland.

The sampler examines extremely large volumes of air each month to determine the concentration of radioactive substances at very low levels which could be undetectable otherwise.

SEPA’s radioactive substances manager James Gemmill said: “The concentration of iodine detected is extremely low and is not of concern for the public or the environment.

“The fact that such a low concentration of this radionuclide was detected demonstrates how effective the surveillance programme for radioactive substances is in the UK.

“SEPA has an ongoing comprehensive monitoring programme for radioactivity in Scotland and has increased the level of scrutiny to provide ongoing public assurance during this period.”

Latest Podcast