France detects radioactive iodine in rainwater, milk

Dees Illustration

Euractiv

After the radioactive cloud emanating from Japan's stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant reached Europe last week, French authorities have detected radioactive iodine-131 in rainwater and milk.

CRIIRAD, an independent French research body on radioactivity, said it had detected radioactive iodine-131 in rainwater in south-eastern France.

A sample analysed on 28 March showed radioactivity levels of 8.5 becquerel.

In parallel testing, the French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), the national public institution monitoring nuclear and radiological risks, found iodine 131 in milk.

According to the institute, concentrations from a sample collected on 25 March showed levels of less than 0.11 becquerels per litre.

In normal times, no trace of iodine-131 should be detectable in rainwater or milk.

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