By CHOY WAI FONG 

TOKYO – High levels of radioactive iodine has been detected in seawater off Japan’s crippled nuclear plant in Fukushima as operators are still struggling to regain control and keep damaged reactors cool three weeks after the tsunami.


Smoke billowing from a damaged reactor at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.

According to Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, the I-131 isotope was tested at 3,355 times the normal level in a sample obtained 330 metres away from one of the complex’s discharge points on Tuesday afternoon.

“I do not believe there's an immediate threat to fishery products, as no fishing is being conducted within 20 kilometers of the nuclear power plant.” said Hidehiko Nishiyama, a Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency official.

“Iodine 131 has a half-life of eight days, and even considering its concentration in marine life, it will have deteriorated considerably by the time it reaches people.”

The radioactive levels are the highest since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami as workers at the power plant are trying to prevent radioactive water from leaking into the Pacific Ocean.

On March 29, traces of radioactive iodine were detected in Primorye region, Russia’s Far East at 100 times lower than the acceptable level thus not posing any danger to human health.

Boris Bulai, the head of the region's meteorological service said, “Radiation levels detected in Primorye’s air have ranged between 7 and 16 microroentgens an hour during that period, which is within the normal range.”

Russian authorities said that radiation levels of up to 30 microroentgens an hour is considered safe.

In addition, officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Wednesday that Singapore has also reported that some Japanese cabbages imported into the country had radiation levels of up to nine times of the recommended levels.

“The Singapore authorities sent reports on measurements in food imported from Japan, namely cabbages ... some samples were over the Codex Alimentarius values recommended for international trade,” said Denis Flory, an official of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The Codex level for radioactive iodine was 100 becquerels per kg.

David Byron, a U.N. food agency official said, "One of the samples in Singapore was up to nine times that level. Other samples were also over that level.”

Japan in dealing with its nuclear crisis has urged countries to stay calm and not to impose "unjustifiable" import curbs on its goods.

As of March 30, the death toll stands at 11,232 people with 16,361 people missing and 175, 020 people homeless.