While states enact bans or tighter controls on imports of Japanese products, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) wants reassurance. Wednesday, it published a document to explain the effects of nuclear radiation on food.
Form of questions and answers, she tries - in partnership with the World Health Organization - to wring the neck of some misconceptions. Thus, products from Japan are not all health risk, according to the document.In addition, foods packaged before March 11 can be irradiated.
Leafy vegetables, the first victims
"In reaching our conclusions, we relied on the results reported by Japanese authorities," said Jean-Michel Poirson, head of food safety within FAO. According to these data, the highest risk foods are leafy vegetables - broccoli, cabbage, lettuce ... "Initially, the contamination spreads through the air, especially during rain, and settles on the leaves," says Jean-Michel Poirson.
A second wave is considered. Indeed, the radioactive material then interferes in the soil and can therefore infect roots - potatoes, carrots ...But it is too early to worry. "First, it's not the harvest season. Then, the authorities have banned any culture in areas where contamination has been observed," Jean-Michel Poirson relativized.
The two possible radiation
Then, there are several types of radiation. Two radioactive elements come into play, but with different effects. Iodine-131 - linked to thyroid cancer - is one whose levels are the highest observed vis-à-vis the Japanese standards in terms of radiation. Good news: the level of contamination of food with iodine-131 decreases quite rapidly."Within weeks, the health risk disappears almost entirely," says Jean-Michel Poirson.
The other component of this duo is more harmful radioactive. Cesium-137 can withstand for years. After the Chernobyl disaster, boars who consumed irradiated mushrooms have become the bearer of cesium 137. Therefore the document of the agency advised the Japanese hunt."According to preliminary results, the contamination with cesium 137 is however closer to the norm," said Jean-Michel Poirson.
Export bans bit surprising
FAO also notes that high levels of contamination were observed up to 100 km from the Miyagi prefecture (where the central Fukushima). "But no, for now, no indication that cultures outside of Japan have been affected," Jean-Michel Poirson tempers. Import bans issued by the U.S. or Australia do not surprise the expert. Thursday, Singapore has even said they found traces of radioactivity in imported foods."The scope of these measures corresponds to foods that are prohibited for sale to Japan," he says.
