Expert: ‘Minimal Risk’ From Mass. Rainwater Radiation Reading

BOSTON — In Japan, officials say new readings show highly radioactive iodine from the damaged nuclear plant may be contaminating seawater farther north of the plant than before. It appears some of the radiation leaking from the damaged reactors has reached Massachusetts.

State health officials are awaiting test results on a dozen water supplies, after a small amount of radiation contamination was detected in a sample of rainwater in Boston.

“One can never say there’s no risk, but the risk is absolutely minimal from this reading. It’s certainly below the EPA standards, so in that sense it’s safe,” said Professor David Brenner, director of the Center for Radiological Research at Columbia University.

Brenner joined Morning Edition Monday to discuss the radiation discovery. “I don’t think anyone has anything to worry about with that level of iodine activity,” he said.