Wahkiakum County Health & Human Services: Japanese Reactors

Washington State Department of Health has found low levels of radioactivity in air and rainwater samples similar to what is being reported by EPA and other states in this HAN alert.  These levels are far below those of a public health concern.

As a result of the incident with the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan, highly sensitive radiation monitors operated by EPA and others are detecting very low levels of radioactive material in the air in the United States. These levels were expected and consistent with estimated releases from the damaged nuclear reactors and these levels are far below those of public health concern.  Elevated levels of radioactive material in rainwater have also been expected as a result of the nuclear incident after the events in Japan, since radiation is known to travel in the atmosphere. There have been reports received that several states including Pennsylvania and Massachusetts have detected elevated levels of radiation in rainwater following recent precipitation events.