Scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) have discovered small amounts of Caesium-134 about 100 miles off the coast of Eureka, California. This isotope is normally found only in nuclear reactors. It’s presence off the California coast marks the first time radiation from the Fukushima Dai-ichi disaster has been detected on this side of the Pacific ocean.
However, Dr. Ken Buesseler of WHOI notes that this radiation does not pose a health hazard. It was measured at 2 becquerels per cubic meter of water – 1000 times less than the safety limit for drinking water, as established by the EPA.