Rice testing

Rice tested for radiation in experiment in Fukushima

A JA worker tests rice for radiation at a JA Michinoku Adachi facility in Motomiya, Fukushima Prefecture, on Aug. 7. (Mainichi)

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http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20120808p2a00m0na017000c.html

FUKUSHIMA -- An experiment to test radiation levels in rice produced in Fukushima Prefecture was conducted at an agricultural facility on Aug. 7 ahead of the launch of shipments of rice from the prefecture later in the month.

The test was conducted at a JA Michinoku Adachi facility in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Motomiya, in preparation for checks for radioactive cesium on all bags of rice from the prefecture.

The Fukushima Prefectural Government plans to test all rice produced in the prefecture this year -- a total of about 360,000 tons. In the experiment, rice produced in 2011 was placed on a conveyor belt, and radiation levels were tested using newly developed equipment.

If the radioactivity of cesium in the rice exceeds 100 becquerels per kilogram, then the rice can't be shipped out. The experiment examined whether radioactivity could be detected in rice with varying concentrations of radioactive cesium.

Commenting on the process, a JA representative said, "We can now distribute safe rice."

Prefectural officials say 143 testing devices will be introduced in the prefecture. Testing is expected to be completed early next year.