Customs officials ordered to focus scanning activity on aircraft from Japan
US authorities have stepped up scanning of air cargo originating from Japan after a incident last week sparked concern about radiation levels. Low levels of radiation were detected at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on an incoming flight from Tokyo.
Initially there were concerns that the radiation that was detected could have been from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, seriously damaged by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
But it later emerged the radiation emanated from a shipment of medical equipment.
Despite this, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said it had stepped up screening of cargo and passengers for radiation on flights from Japan.
However, CBP added that so far no aircraft entering the US had tested positive for dangerous levels of radiation.
Meanwhile, Maersk Line vessels are avoiding some areas off the coast of Japan, because of concerns about radiation levels.
Maersk spokesman Michael Christian Storgaard told IFW: “Currently, we adhere to a safety zone 80km around the Fukushima plant.
“We continue to consult various national and international experts and authorities and we are evaluating the development hour by hour to give the best information to our colleagues, vessels and customers.”
On Friday, Japan raised the alert level at the power plant from four to five on a seven-point international scale for atomic accidents.
Workers are dousing fuel rods with tonnes of water as fears grow that pools used to cool down spent fuel rods have leaked, meaning the rods could catch fire and release radiation into the air.
Damian Brett | Mon, 21 Mar 2011, IFW News