Japan Finds Higher Radiation in Rain

Increased radiation levels were reported in the rainfall over central Japan on Sunday, prompting the Japanese government to convene an emergency Cabinet-level working group to assess the situation.

The higher readings of iodine-131 are believed to be related to the Soviet nuclear accident at Chernobyl, which released a radioactive cloud that has already threatened much of Europe, according to Japan’s Science and Technology Agency.

The agency concluded that the additional contamination poses no danger to human health, but it advised residents of four prefectures, including Tokyo, not to drink rainwater and to wash vegetables thoroughly.

It has been drizzling for two days in Tokyo, where the leaders of seven industrialized nations have gathered for their economic summit.

Whenever air or water samples show radiation levels above 3,000 picocuries per liter, the review group is automatically called.

The group’s findings showed the presence of iodine-131, with a half-life of eight days, in rainwater tested in a number of areas. The highest reading was in Chiba, with 4,000 picocuries. The Tokyo measurement was 1,700.

A picocurie is 1/1,000-billionth of a curie, which means that even the highest level found is far below what human beings are able to tolerate.