Minute radioactive Caesium-137 detected in HK

Xinhua, April 11, 2011

Very minute amount of artificial radionuclide Caesium-137 was detected for the first time in Hong Kong air samples but with no harm to health, the Hong Kong Observatory said Sunday.

The radionuclide Caesium-137 was detected together with the artificial radionuclide Iodine-131 from air samples collected at King's Park from noon, April 8 to noon, April 9. According to the Observatory, the concentrations of Caesium-137 in this sample was only 1/37,000,000 of the level that requires protective actions.

The news release said since the amount of radioactive Iodine- 131 and Caesium-137 detected are both very small, there will not be any impact on public health and no precautionary measures are required.

The environmental gamma radiation level in Hong Kong remains normal, it added.