Radioactive iodine detected in Tokyo water supply
Radioactive iodine has been detected in Tokyo’s water supply, prompting a warning that infants in Japan’s capital city and surrounding areas shouldn’t drink the tap water, the New York Times reports. Iodine-131 has been detected at levels of 210 becquerels per liter, and the recommended limit for infants is 100 becquerels per liter (it’s 300 for adults). The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station was severely damaged after an earthquake and tsunami on March 11; the public has also been warned against farm produce from areas around the power station due to contamination. The Health Ministry has said it’s unlikely that infants who did drink the water would be harmed, but said it should be avoided if at all possible.