Nuclear Meltdown

Minute levels of radioactive materials detected in ROK

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-29 15:21

SEOUL - Minute levels of radioactive iodine and cesium have been detected in the Republic of Korea, presumably attributable to radiation leaks at Japan's quake-hit nuclear plant, the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety said Tuesday.

Related readings:  Plutonium detected in soil at nuke plant  More radioactive water spills at Japan nuke plant  Radiation in Japan seawater, soil may be spreading

Traces of iodine-131, cesium-134 and cesium-137 have been detected at twelve radiation detection facilities around the country, the state-run institute said, stressing the minuscule levels of the radioactive materials pose no risk to human health.

The report comes a day after the institute confirmed xenon-133, another nuclear fission product, was detected in northern parts of the country and prompted a daily radiation check throughout the country.

Seawater and marine products will also be subject to radiation checks, according to the government.

A 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific coastal areas of northeastern and eastern Japan on March 11, triggering an enormous tsunami which crippled Japan's two nuclear power plants in Fukushima.