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Response to articles 'Japan's Fukushima catastrophe brings big radiation spikes to B.C.' and 'Health Canada 'negligent' on Fukushima nuclear-radiation threats, Liberal MP Joyce Murray claims.' (Straight.com - August 4, 2011)
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Letter to the Editor
2011-111
August 5, 2011
Response to articles 'Japan's Fukushima catastrophe brings big radiation spikes to B.C.' and 'Health Canada 'negligent' on Fukushima nuclear-radiation threats, Liberal MP Joyce Murray claims.' (Straight.com - August 4, 2011)
OTTAWA - I would like to clarify statements made in the articles 'Health Canada negligent on Fukushima nuclear-radiation threats' and 'Japan's Fukushima catastrophe brings big radiation spikes to B.C.' that appeared online on August 4.
Health Canada has a large radiation detection and monitoring network composed of more than 100 stations across the country. These stations are extremely sensitive and capable of detecting minute quantities of radioactivity. Our radiation monitoring stations have not detected large increases in radiation in any region of Canada. The levels of radiation being detected are within the natural background radiation fluctuations that were typically seen prior to the nuclear event in Japan. Readings from these stations are available online on Health Canada's website.
The resulting dose from any radionuclides detected following the Fukushima event represents only a tiny fraction of the total background radiation dose that Canadians normally receive and does not pose a health risk.
Health Canada is continuing to monitor radiation levels as part of our normal activities. We will update this information on our website and will promptly notify Canadians if there is any change.
Hilary Geller
Assistant Deputy Minister
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
Health Canada
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