CORVALLIS, Ore. — Scientists from Oregon State University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have found minute traces of radiation in albacore tuna caught off the West Coast. The scientists emphasized that the radiation levels are well below anything that would pose a risk to humans who consume the fish.
“We’re still processing new fish, but so far the radiation we’re detecting is far below the level of concern for human safety,” said Delvan Neville, a graduate researcher with OSU’s Radiation Health Physics program and a co-investigator on the project.
Fish collected before the March 2011 Japanese tsunami and the release of radioactive material by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor did not have any traces of isotope radiation. Fish caught after the disaster contained traces of Cesium-134, an isotope that could only have come from the Fukushima reactors.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration and NOAA jointly said it was unlikely that migratory fish, such as albacore tuna, would be contaminated with elevated radiation levels.