Harmful Levels of Radiation Found in Tokyo Tap Water

The amount of radioactive iodine detected at a local purification plant could be dangerous for infants over a long period of time.

The Tokyo government advised parents not to let their infants drink tap water after levels of radioactive iodine twice the amount considered safe for babies was found at a water purification plant in the city’s Kanamachi district. At the detected level of 210 becquerels per 1 kg of water, radioactive iodine is only dangerous if consumed regularly for an extended period, so officials said it was OK to give babies tap water if no other water was available. Anything above 100 becquerels per 1 kg is considered potentially harmful for infants. Radiation from the earthquake-stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant has already been found in milk and spinach, fuelling fears that Japan’s agriculture industry could face long-term decline.