Questions apparent lack of concern over radioactivity levels

To the editor:

It seems strange to me that there is no more reported radioactivity collected from all those new detectors deployed all over Alaska now that fish are about to enter Alaska rivers.

One would be led to think there is no more radioactivity coming here from Japan. But, Japan has announced a huge surge in ocean contamination as radioactive iodine-131 at 7.5 million times the legal limit was found, according to Japan Times. Ocean contamination will probably get worse, since TEPCO is dumping 11,500 tons of contaminated water into the ocean and said a leak of even more toxic water should last for nine months.

Radiation monitoring stations should be prepositioned in advance of our hectic fishing season to monitor seafood, especially in Alaska Native villages, where people depend on fish and whales to sustain them all year long. If there is no means to remove radioactively contaminated seafood from the catch, then all seafood taken will be suspected to be contaminated and none can be assured to be safe for consumption.

This precaution is vital to protect Alaska’s fishing industry.

Daniel N. Russell,

physicist

Willow