Excessive cesium levels again found in Iwate cows

MORIOKA, Iwate Pref. — Radioactive cesium exceeding the legal limit has been detected in beef cattle in Iwate Prefecture for the first time since the ban on shipments in the region was lifted last month, officials said Thursday.

The amount of cesium found topped the government's allowable limit of 500 becquerels per kilogram in two of eight beef cattle following shipment, the officials said.

Cesium was first detected in the eight cattle in a simple test Tuesday, the officials said, adding that two of the eight were destroyed after further tests confirmed they had excessive levels.

The shipment ban was imposed following the discovery of beef contaminated with radioactive cesium from cattle raised in the northeast since the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 was triggered March 11.

View the original article here