Health officials the United States said that one sample of rainwater in Massachusetts have been contaminated with low levels of radiation. Radiation is most likely from a nuclear power plant of Japan earlier this month damaged by the quake and tsunami.
John Auerbach, Massachusetts public health commissioner, said that the element radioiodin-131 was found in samples of rain in the lower levels.
That is one of over 100 samples have been taken across the country. He said the supply of drinking water in the state that part is not affected. Officials do not expect any health problems.
Nevada and other Western countries also have reported very small amounts of radiation. However, scientists say that there is no health risk.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health said the sample was taken on last Sunday. But, they do not tell the location of the rainwater samples. Testing is part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's network that monitors for radioactivity.
State officials said similar tests conducted in California, Pennsylvania, Washington and other states.
The results show comparable levels of I-131 in the rain.
Massachusetts''last week to test samples from the Quabbin and Wachusett reservoirs and showed no detectable levels of I-131, health officials said.
But Secretary of Energy and the Environment, Richard K. Sullivan Jr., urged the Department of Environmental Protection to collect additional samples for testing from several bodies of water in Massachusetts. Results will be available over the next few days.
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