(SitNews) Anchorage, Alaska – The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is expanding testing for gamma radiation in Alaska seafood through funding from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The expansion includes collecting more samples, in more locations, and testing additional species to evaluate for gamma radiation and potential local environmental contaminants. 

Alaskans were understandably concerned when news sources reported last week that the Government of Japan plans to release treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant in two years,” said DEC Commissioner Jason Brune. “Over 50 percent of our nation’s seafood comes from Alaska’s waters and we want to re-assure markets that this resource is of the highest quality.”

DEC has been monitoring for radiation in Alaska seafood since the initial Fukushima incident occurred in 2014. 

“To date, we have not detected any radionuclides associated with Fukushima, and going forward we will be expanding radiation testing to further ensure these products are safe,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Bob Gerlach.

The Department’s Environmental Health Laboratory has the only Portable Gamma-ray Analysis System deployed to a state laboratory in the country.  Using FDA standard analytical methods, no detectable levels of gamma radiation have been found in Alaska’s fish since testing began.  DEC has proactively monitored for contaminants in Alaska seafood since 2001, and the results of these tests, including the gamma radiation testing, has confirmed the quality and health of Alaska seafood. 

Japan announced last week it will release 1.25 million tons of treated wastewater contaminated by the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean in two years.

Japan Times reported last week the Government of Japan had formally authorized a plan on to release treated radioactive water stored at the Fukushima No.1 nuclear plant into the sea and announced a sweeping range of steps to address mounting worries over reputational damage to local fisheries and food.

Further, Japan Times reported Neighboring countries reacted to the announcement with criticism and bewilderment.

Koo Yun-cheol, South Korea’s minister for government policy coordination, expressed Seoul’s opposition to the plan, while Taiwan’s Atomic Energy Council said legislators and others on the self-ruled island oppose it, according to Kyodo News.

The Chinese foreign ministry issued a statement describing the move as “highly irresponsible.”

“Despite doubts and opposition from home and abroad, Japan has unilaterally decided to release the Fukushima nuclear wastewater into the sea before exhausting all safe ways of disposal and without fully consulting with neighboring countries and the international community,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department said in a statement it is supportive of Japan’s “transparent” decision to discharge the water and work closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on oversight.

On the Web:

Detailed information on the analyses is available on DEC’s website. 

More Alaska-specific information about Fukushima-related radiation exposure is available on DHSS’s website.

More information is also available on DEC’s Fish Monitoring Program.

Edited By Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Alaska Dept of Environmental Conservation
www.dec.alaska.gov

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