Non-harmful radiation levels detected

Low levels of Iodine and Caesium radionuclides have been detected and are indicative of radiation contamination, the environmental directorate said.

The Environmental Health Directorate was closely monitoring the Fukushim nuclear plant radiation incident together with the Radiation Protection Board.

In the past weeks the Public Health Laboratory within the environmental health directorate carried out radiation monitoring in air in some localities.

The levels are of the same magnitude reported by other member states and are not harmful, the directorate said.

Levels found for caesium 137 are below the reporting level of 30000micro Bq/m3 given in 2000/473/euroatom. Gamma dose rate measurements have not detected any relevant increase, average value 0.1micro sievert/ hour.

The Environmental Health Directorate through the Public Health Laboratory and the Health Inspectorate Services will continue to monitor the situation and keep the public informed.