Radioactive particles travel in the wind and get absorbed into soil with the help of rain and snow. Then plant roots take up the material and the plants become contaminated. Animals eat the plants and their products become contaminated.
Some kinds of radiation stay in the environment longer than others.
Medical physicist Jerrold Bushberg is a radiation expert at the University of California, Davis. Professor Bushberg says removing the topsoil might make the land safe for use. But it depends on the depth of the radioactive material. And for now, he says, it is too early to take any measures.
Experts say the ocean will help dilute radiation in seawater. But the tsunami also destroyed seafood, sank fishing boats and leveled processing plants.
Charles Ebinger studies the politics of energy at the Brookings Institution in Washington. Mr. Ebinger says the danger to adults from radiation-contaminated food is overstated. Still, the affected areas of northeastern Japan are deeply dependent on agriculture and fish, he says. So their economy could suffer the most.
And that’s the VOA Special English Agriculture Report, written by Jerilyn Watson. You can download free transcripts and MP3s of all of our reports and other Special English programs at voaspecialenglish.com. I’m Bob Doughty.
Contributing: Mil Arcega
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25