Cesium Found in Pacific Tuna, Says New Study

Susanne Posel
OccupyCorporatism
May 30, 2012

 

 

 

 

Researchers from Stanford’s Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific have found that the Pacific Bluefin tuna that migrated from Japan to California are contaminated with cesium which is a compound found only in nuclear reactors.

They contend that the tuna that was caught off the coast of San Diego, California in 2011 were polluted from the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Yet, Ken Buesseler of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution claims that the results of the study do not show that “Fukushima was the source” of the radiation; although the disaster appears to be the most likely foundation.

The seafood industry has been hoping that the fish they procured were safe for human consumption because the fish were taken several thousand miles from Japanese coastal areas.

Daniel J. Madigan, marine ecologist and lead author of the study, stated that these affected tuna were not caught for consumer seafood markets in the US.

While Madigan did not intend to research radiation levels in sea life, when they were given sample fish from sporting fishermen, testing revealed that one of the 15 sampled were radioactive.

Madigan said the radioactivity was at a moderate level. “I wouldn’t tell anyone what’s safe to eat or what’s not safe to eat. It’s become clear that some people feel that any amount of radioactivity, in their minds, is bad and they’d like to avoid it. But compared to what’s there naturally … and what’s established as safety limits, it’s not a large amount at all.”

The fish was polluted with cesium – 134 and cesium – 137 isotopes. These isotopes do not occur in nature, but are products of nuclear explosions.

The levels of cesium found were measured higher than previous years, yet the US government maintains that these radioactive levels are safe for human health.

Osamu Fujimura stated that this finding should cause his country to monitor the radioactive levels of sea life more closely. Japan recently raised the acceptable radiation levels to a limit of 100 Becquerel per kilogram in food.

TEPCO reported that they believe more than 18,000 terabecquerel of radioactive material was dumped into the Pacific Ocean just after the Fukushima accident occurred. TEPCO is not certain if this was a result of fallout or through mixing water used to cool nuclear reactors with ocean water.

Madigan explained that if the contamination was present in fish, then other sea life would be effected; such as sharks, turtles, birds and seals. He suggested the further study would involve migratory tracking of these animals.

Nicolas Fisher of Stony Brook University in Long Island was sent samples of the radioactive fish for analysis. Fisher asserts that: “We don’t think there will be any public health concern from the results of the new tests, but if we do see any higher concentrations of cesium, we will certainly alert public health agencies again. We were frankly kind of startled. That’s a big ocean. To swim across it and still retain these radionuclides is pretty amazing.”

Madigan and his team are preparing to continue their study to see if radioactive levels subside or become a definitive threat to human consumption.

Various independent researchers have maintained that the entire west coast of America has been reporting record levels of radiation in the sea life and water samples. From Southern California, to Oregon and up to British Columbia experts in the fields of nuclear science, oceanography, entomology and independent researchers are studying the effects of this massive dose of radiation on the public’s health.

USGS , the US Geological Survey has been less than forthcoming with information provided to them about increasing radioactive levels in states like California, Oregon and Colorado. These three states have been found to have the highest radioactive levels of all tested.

All radioactive contamination is a direct result of Iodine 131. This is only used in nuclear reactors and not found in nature. Cesium, strontium, plutonium and uranium have also been found in record setting levels all along the west coast.

Kelp collected from the Orange County, Californian coast has been tested and shows signs of being radioactive .

According to researchers at the CSU Long Beach, these samples revealed radioactive iodine that could only have been released from a nuclear reactor. Steven Manley of the biology department at CSU Long Beach says that iodine 131 “has an eight-day half-life, so it’s pretty much all gone. But this shows what happens half a world away does effect what happens here. I don’t think these levels are harmful, but it’s better if we don’t have it at all.”

Records show that some places were up to 250 times higher in radioactive levels that were recorded prior to the Fukushima disaster.

The giant kelp off the coast of California show high concentrations of radioactive iodine; meaning for every 1 molecule in the ocean, there are 10,000 in the plant’s tissues.

Effected areas are Orange County, as well as Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County, Santa Barbara, Pacific Grove and Santa Cruz. Corona Del Mar, near Newport Beach had the highest recorded concentration levels.

Despite what the government officials maintain, the real threat Fukushima has posed to the world through contaminating our eco-systems with dangerous levels of cesium is showing itself.

While wildlife continues to bear the scars of exposure to radioactivity, it may be up to the general public to protect ourselves.

Perhaps now is a good time to invest in a meter to measure the radioactivity of the food purchased at your local grocer.

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Cesium Found in Pacific Tuna, Says New Study

Susanne Posel
OccupyCorporatism
May 30, 2012

 

 

 

 

Researchers from Stanford’s Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific have found that the Pacific Bluefin tuna that migrated from Japan to California are contaminated with cesium which is a compound found only in nuclear reactors.

They contend that the tuna that was caught off the coast of San Diego, California in 2011 were polluted from the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Yet, Ken Buesseler of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution claims that the results of the study do not show that “Fukushima was the source” of the radiation; although the disaster appears to be the most likely foundation.

The seafood industry has been hoping that the fish they procured were safe for human consumption because the fish were taken several thousand miles from Japanese coastal areas.

Daniel J. Madigan, marine ecologist and lead author of the study, stated that these affected tuna were not caught for consumer seafood markets in the US.

While Madigan did not intend to research radiation levels in sea life, when they were given sample fish from sporting fishermen, testing revealed that one of the 15 sampled were radioactive.

Madigan said the radioactivity was at a moderate level. “I wouldn’t tell anyone what’s safe to eat or what’s not safe to eat. It’s become clear that some people feel that any amount of radioactivity, in their minds, is bad and they’d like to avoid it. But compared to what’s there naturally … and what’s established as safety limits, it’s not a large amount at all.”

The fish was polluted with cesium – 134 and cesium – 137 isotopes. These isotopes do not occur in nature, but are products of nuclear explosions.

The levels of cesium found were measured higher than previous years, yet the US government maintains that these radioactive levels are safe for human health.

Osamu Fujimura stated that this finding should cause his country to monitor the radioactive levels of sea life more closely. Japan recently raised the acceptable radiation levels to a limit of 100 Becquerel per kilogram in food.

TEPCO reported that they believe more than 18,000 terabecquerel of radioactive material was dumped into the Pacific Ocean just after the Fukushima accident occurred. TEPCO is not certain if this was a result of fallout or through mixing water used to cool nuclear reactors with ocean water.

Madigan explained that if the contamination was present in fish, then other sea life would be effected; such as sharks, turtles, birds and seals. He suggested the further study would involve migratory tracking of these animals.

Nicolas Fisher of Stony Brook University in Long Island was sent samples of the radioactive fish for analysis. Fisher asserts that: “We don’t think there will be any public health concern from the results of the new tests, but if we do see any higher concentrations of cesium, we will certainly alert public health agencies again. We were frankly kind of startled. That’s a big ocean. To swim across it and still retain these radionuclides is pretty amazing.”

Madigan and his team are preparing to continue their study to see if radioactive levels subside or become a definitive threat to human consumption.

Various independent researchers have maintained that the entire west coast of America has been reporting record levels of radiation in the sea life and water samples. From Southern California, to Oregon and up to British Columbia experts in the fields of nuclear science, oceanography, entomology and independent researchers are studying the effects of this massive dose of radiation on the public’s health.

USGS , the US Geological Survey has been less than forthcoming with information provided to them about increasing radioactive levels in states like California, Oregon and Colorado. These three states have been found to have the highest radioactive levels of all tested.

All radioactive contamination is a direct result of Iodine 131. This is only used in nuclear reactors and not found in nature. Cesium, strontium, plutonium and uranium have also been found in record setting levels all along the west coast.

Kelp collected from the Orange County, Californian coast has been tested and shows signs of being radioactive .

According to researchers at the CSU Long Beach, these samples revealed radioactive iodine that could only have been released from a nuclear reactor. Steven Manley of the biology department at CSU Long Beach says that iodine 131 “has an eight-day half-life, so it’s pretty much all gone. But this shows what happens half a world away does effect what happens here. I don’t think these levels are harmful, but it’s better if we don’t have it at all.”

Records show that some places were up to 250 times higher in radioactive levels that were recorded prior to the Fukushima disaster.

The giant kelp off the coast of California show high concentrations of radioactive iodine; meaning for every 1 molecule in the ocean, there are 10,000 in the plant’s tissues.

Effected areas are Orange County, as well as Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County, Santa Barbara, Pacific Grove and Santa Cruz. Corona Del Mar, near Newport Beach had the highest recorded concentration levels.

Despite what the government officials maintain, the real threat Fukushima has posed to the world through contaminating our eco-systems with dangerous levels of cesium is showing itself.

While wildlife continues to bear the scars of exposure to radioactivity, it may be up to the general public to protect ourselves.

Perhaps now is a good time to invest in a meter to measure the radioactivity of the food purchased at your local grocer.

You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Leave a Reply

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