Food from Japan, not a scare for India
In the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, countries such as the UK, the US, China and Russia have already sounded a red alert and are keeping a constant vigil on food products, which come in from Japan.
ALTHOUGH THE risk of nuclear radiation seems low from the disaster stricken Fukushima nuclear plant, scientists have called to keep vigil, so as to control disaster, which can be caused by it. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) said that the background radiation is being monitored on a daily basis across India and the radiation has not shown much variation. If there will be any chance of radiation then it will be seen in soil, food and air, which will be detected easily.
Across India 88 monitors are being managed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. Most of these monitors are located near nuclear installations only.
A scientist from the Indian Meteorological Department said that as per the current wind direction, there is no such risk of the radiation reaching India. These days westerly winds are blowing over India, which does not favor winds from Japan reaching India.
As the Fukushima reactors’ situation is worsening, it is asking for a constant monitoring. The main worry is not the air but the micro particulates at the sub micron level which tend to travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometers.
The movement of these particles is completely unpredictable as they move randomly in the air. When in the air, these may get dispersed and can settle on any surface.
Apart from these particles, a close eye has to be kept on the food items, which are being imported from Japan. Not only food items have to be monitored but also the fishes as they are caught from the sea around Japan and the body of the fish is much more accumulative to the radiation than the water. Also, fish tends to travel much faster and a hundreds and thousands of kilometers, which in turn, increases the risk.
For this purpose, the regulator, while keeping a watch at the monitoring stations, was also checking food items at its laboratories. Radiation detectors have also been installed at the ports and airports, which are capable of detecting radiation from milk, fruits, vegetables, fish, grains and other products too.
Safety being the major issue everywhere, the countries are taking the necessary steps. Screening of fish to food, to check the presence of iodine, cesium and other N- particles is being done.
The condition in Philippines, Vietnam, and South Korea is a bit on the better side, as they found the radiation in the air, but it is not a thing that could worry them. In the US, the fruits and wine producing areas of California are the worst affected. Radioactive material is being found in the soil of many states in China, Russia, Hong Kong and UK.
For now, India is on the safer side; but, still the food imported from Japan is being scanned for contamination as, being taking precautions is much better than taking risk and suffering later.
 | Previous Post |
Login
 Login through Social ID
|
Not finding what you are looking for? Search here.
