Cesium-137 From Japanese Plant Found in Vermont Milk

Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope which spread through the atmosphere from Japan, has been found for the first time in milk, in Montpelier Vermont. Milk samples from Phoenix Arizona and Los Angeles contained iodine-131 ar levels roughly equal to the maximum contaminent levels permitted by the EPA the Los Angeles sample contained 2.9 picCuries per liter of iodine 131. The EPA maximum contaminant level is 3.0. The sample of milk from Vermont containing Cesium-137 contained 1.9 picoCuries per liter which is below the 3.0 standard. Radioactive isotopes accumulate in milk after spreading through the atmosphere. The fall to earth in rain or dust and settle on vegetation where they are ingested by grazing cattle. Iodine-131 accumulates in the thyroid gland where it can cause cancer. Cesium-137 accumulates in the body’s soft tissue where it increases the risk of cancer. The EPA has tested drinking water around the nation and found one outlier in Catanooga Tennessee. It contained more than half the contaminant level permitted in drinking water. You can monitor radiation spread on the following site: http://radiationnetwork.com/