Scientists are testing the Fukishima region’s produce after the deadly nuclear accident from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami devastated the city seven years ago.
Seven years after the nuclear crisis caused by devastating tsunami in 2011, extremely high testing from authorities show that the radiation levels from the nuclear reactor at the Fukushima region have gone down to safe levels.
Japan has set a standard of 100 becquerels or less of radioactivity per kilogram (bq/kg) of food item produced in the region. About 200,000 food stuffs have been tested at the Fukushima Agricultural Technology Centre since March 2011 with production increasing each year.
In 2017, authorities have said that no produce or livestock have exceeded the state- mandated safe limit. Only nine samples out of the entire batch were over the limit. They included eight from fish and one wild mushroom.
High radiation levels affected several regions; a testament to the particularly severe reputational damage it suffered. Fukushima’s program is the most systematic.
The same, however, cannot be said of the surrounding forests, where thick trees makes it impractical not to mention impossible. But it hasn’t stopped authorities from trying to remove the radiation levels from the trees.
However, despite these precautions and decontamination efforts, there are reports of small levels of radioactivity which exceed the state standard and are summarily destroyed to prevent further spread.
Fishermen are not so fortunate. Most of them are taking a compensation package from the now shut down and decommissioned nuclear reactor.
A Japanese NGO carries out its own testing to make certain that the levels are clear. The agency reported that it was very surprised by the low levels present in the produce.
Reference: Made in Fukushima: Aided by rigorous radiation checks, farmers and fishermen struggle to win trust
