Thread: Oregon coast radiation results delayed

Oregon coast radiation results delayed

Apr. 1, 2014 11:41 AM
Written by
Tracy Loew
Statesman Journal

Results of radiation sampling along the Oregon coast have again been delayed.

Oregon state park rangers have taken quarterly samples of sand and surf water at three locations along the coast since April 2012, when debris from the Japan tsunami began washing ashore.

Radiation from the resulting Fukushima nuclear meltdown likely will reach the West Coast this month, scientists say, although at very low levels that won’t harm humans or the environment.

That’s raised interest in the results of Oregon’s quarterly tests, which so far have found levels too low to detect.

Neither Washington nor California regularly test for Fukushima radiation.
Results of the most recent tests, taken in mid-February, were first delayed by some lab equipment enhancements, Oregon Health Authority spokesman Jonathan Modie said in early March. They were expected by March 15.

Now, OHA expects to post the test results late Friday or sometime Monday, Modie said.

“The delay was due to updating our computer software and awaiting training,” he said.

No information about the results will be available before they are posted, he said.

The next quarterly collection date is May 13.

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20140401/UPDATE/140401015/Oregon-coast-radiation-results-delayed

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