Society

Radioactive materials found in spinach in China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-06 20:48

BEIJING - Extremely small amounts of radioactive isotope iodine-131 had been found on the surface of spinach plants in Beijing, Tianjin and Henan, according to China's National Nuclear Emergency Coordination Committee on Wednesday.

However, the amount is only one thousandth to three thousandth of the legal limit stipulated in China's national radiation safety standard, said a daily statement issued by China's National Nuclear Emergency Coordination Committee.

Related readings:  Radioactive water to pose little danger to China  Japan defends radioactive dumping  Beijing reports low levels of radioactive iodine  Radioactive iodine detected across Chinese mainland

The results are based upon a radiation check conducted on Tuesday, the statement noted.

The Ministry of Health also issued a statement Wednesday evening saying trace levels of radioactive isotope iodine-131 had been found in spinach planted in the open fields within the three regions.

It has been proven that washing the spinach with water can effectively remove radioactive materials, the Health Ministry said.

According to the monitoring on Tuesday, radioactive isotope iodine-131 contained in the spinach samples in the three regions was approximately 1 to 3 bq/kg.

It is believed that recent rains in these regions helped drop the radioactive iodine from the air to the ground, and the radioactive materials fell onto the surface of the spinach, the ministry said.

The current trace amounts of radioactive materials in food will not pose any threat to public health, and there is no need to take protective measures against the contamination, the ministry statement said.