Previous Story
Feds respond to CNMI concerns on Fukushima radiation hazard
At Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan’s (Ind-MP) request, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has agreed to provide the CNMI with “material and logistical support to respond to public concern about radiation hazards from the Fukushima nuclear accident,” three years after the massive March 2011 Japan quake and tsunami that also triggered radioactive leaks from damaged nuclear power plant reactors.
“FDA is able to provide radiation pagers, a radionuclide identification system, dosimeters, service contracts and training for use by the Commonwealth government,” Sablan said.
The delegate added that the FDA has also invited the CNMI to join a working group of officials from federal agencies and from Hawaii and other Pacific coastal states, who meet periodically to discuss the Fukushima incident and its impact.
“I appreciate FDA’s response,” he said.
Sablan said a number of constituents have told him they are worried about radiation from Fukushima reaching the CNMI in ocean waters or through the food chain so he worked to find federal resources addressing this concern.
Shortly after the March 2011 Japan quake and tsunami, the CNMI government formed a CNMI Nuclear Task Force to monitor developments and work with local, federal and international agencies in addressing concerns related to the disaster.
CNMI government and private entities also mobilized to help raise funds for the disaster-hit Japan, which remains to be the CNMI’s main tourism market.
At the time, CNMI government officials said besides the 1,500 miles to 1,700 miles distance between the CNMI and Japan’s Fukushima area where the damaged nuclear reactors are, there are also other factors that make it close to impossible for radiation to reach the CNMI, including wind direction and weather conditions, the task force said.
