A radioactive cloud from the quake-damaged Fukushima reactor explosions in Japan was said to have reached Vietnam in late April 9.
According to the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), the cloud may exist in Southeast Asia within several days with radionuclide concentrations decreasing with every passing day.
The most powerful radioactive cloud, however, dispersed rapidly on April 9 and 10.
Earlier, MoST said even if the cloud covered Vietnam, the radiation level would increase by only 100 times from the previously-detected level.
By 15:00, April 9, apart from the recognition of the natural radioactive isotopes, the observation stations in Da Lat and Ninh Thuan also discovered radioactive I-131.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the radioactive isotopes I-131, Cs-134 and Cs-137 were recorded.
“The radioactive isotopes recorded at the three above-mentioned locations are at low level, and do not pose a threat to human health and the environment,” scientists said.
Cs-134 was found in the pine needle samples (which are often used to indicate radioactive pollution in the atmosphere and vegetation) in addition to the isotopes Be-7, K -40, U-238, Th-232 and Cs-137 but the level of Cs-134 was very low and does not affect human health.
Updated : 9:18 AM, 11/04/2011
Source: VOV NEWS
There is no safe level of radiation:
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