Non-harmful radiation levels detected

Non-harmful levels of radiation from the Fukushima nuclear dis­aster were detected in Malta, the Health Ministry confirmed yesterday.

Reassuring the public that continual monitoring was taking place, the ministry said the levels of radiation detected were of the same magnitude as those found in other EU member states and were not harmful.

“It can now be confirmed that low levels of iodine and caesium radionuclides have been de­tected and are indicative of radiation contamination,” it said.

The air radiation monitoring in some localities would continue and the public would be kept informed, it said.

Last week, a number of EU member states, including Spain, Ireland, Italy and Switzer­land, detected radiation from Fukushima’s nuclear disaster at levels described by the International Atomic Energy Agency to be of no public health concern.

At the time, a local radiation expert had said radiation contamination in Malta was possible but confirmation had to await the results of air samples sent overseas for testing.