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Could Japan’s Nuclear Radiation Contaminate the World’s Food Supply?

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Japan has long been known for providing some of the best sushi-grade fish and premium meats (think Kobe Beef) in the world. But some are wondering: can a worst-case scenario nuclear meltdown in Japan affect our food supply?

Experts say a Japan nuclear radiation disaster could potentially contaminate vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy, and fish, but the international threat is not as serious as the domestic concern. But countries all across the world are already reacting to fears.

The European Union is urging member states to check Japanese food imports for radioactivity following the country’s nuclear crisis. Regulators in India, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines are beginning tests on Japanese imports. No contamination has been reported yet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, meanwhile, has also said it is stepping up radiation testing on its imports from Japan.

The full effects of radiation are dependent on which way the wind is blowing, experts say. Currently, that wind is expected to continue to blow eastward over the Pacific Ocean, dispersing nuclear radiation over thousands of square miles of salty ocean.

The thousands of miles between the United States and Japan will lessen the effects of possible nuclear fallout because any particles would be diluted once it crosses the ocean. The direct affects would be very minimal, even in a worst case scenario situation, he said.

But, if the wind blows westward over Japan after a worst case scenario nuclear meltdown, the immediate concern would then be Japan’s domestic food supply.

The threat to the food supply lives inside of Japan’s nuclear reactor cores, which are comprised of radioactive isotopes iodine 131, Caesium, and Strontium.

If a nuclear meltdown were to occur, experts say, radioactive fallout would release these isotopes – which could attach to dust particles and enter the atmosphere. If this happens, the radioactive materials become water vapor and contaminate the soil in the form of rain..acid rain. Then in a couple of months..nuclear winter.

These processes can affect children more so than adults because they are more likely to consume things like milk, for instance, and are more susceptible to radiation.

But even if radiation is ingested in the Japanese food chain, experts believe the United States does not need to panic about contamination because of today’s highly sensitive radiation-detection equipment.

Hmmm..didn’t they say the SAME thing about not worrying about a nuclear meltdown? “Don’t worry, we have enough water for coolant in the off-chance that a core overheats.”

–Via Foxnews