WHO: Radiation In Food More Serious than Estimates

CNN - WHO consider radiation on some Japanese food is more serious than expected. Through his spokesman in Manila, Peter Cordingley, WHO recommends that people in Japan should be careful of food and drinks they consume.

Japan's Health Ministry reported on radioactive iodine in milk derived from 4 locations in Fukushima. The content was stretched from 20% more than the safe limit of up to 17 times the safe limit. Tests at a location to find the content of cesium 5% above the safe limit.

"It is not like our suspicion," said Cordingley. "The situation is more serious," he continued. WHO see Japanese people researching the origin of food before buying. "We think it a wise move," Cordingley responded.

In Ibaraki, the tests on 10 vegetable production sites found iodine to 27 times more than safe limits. Cesium amounted to 4% more than the safe limit was found in 7 study sites.

The content of radioactive elements in water are well below the levels that worrying. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Japanese government found only six of 46 samples containing radioactive isotope iodine-131.

Isotopes of iodine and cesium is a byproduct of nuclear reactors. The content of iodine-131 can be decreased after 8 days, while the new cesium-137 will be reduced after 30 years.

Fukushima is the fourth location in Japan which has the largest farms. Their products are fruits, vegetables, and rice. Ibaraki, located in southern Fukushima, Tokyo supplied with fruits and vegetables. Ibaraki is the third largest pork-producing in Japan.