The Washington Times

So far, risk low from radiation in food in Japan

continued from page 2

Cesium, however, can stay in soil for 30 years. But animals intended for slaughter can be given clean feed for a few months until cesium in their bodies drops to safe limits, he says. Also, the radiation stays only in the top inches of soil so deep plowing can make a field safe to use.

Q: Wait a minute, the U.S. and other countries irradiate certain foods to kill bacteria. How is that different?

A: No radioactivity is left in irradiated foods because the energy used, from such sources as X-rays and electron beams, is too low. The FDA, World Health Organization and other authorities have repeatedly found the process to be safe.

___

EDITOR’S NOTE _ Lauran Neergaard covers health and medical issues for The Associated Press in Washington. AP Medical Writer Margie Mason in Hanoi, Vietnam, contributed to this report.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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