The United Nations Nuclear Agency remains mystified by reports of increasing radiation levels being detected across Europe. The International Atomic Energy Agency, however, has assured the public that the increase is not coming from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant that was severely damaged by the horrific March 11th earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan.
Elevated-but still relatively low- levels of radioactive iodine-131 were detected last week in samples taken from areas throughout Germany and the Czech Republic. Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Sweden also reported low-level traces. The agency has stated that although higher than normal, the levels still remain at safe concentrations and do not at present pose any health risks to local populations or wildlife.
This week, NASA released thousands of images of the Tarantula Nebula, an area of space they believe is producing intense radiation and powerful winds, which some scientists feel could be the cause for the increased radiation levels detected in Earth's atmosphere.
Officials in Spain, Russia, Ukraine, Finland, France, Britain, Switzerland, Poland and Norway said they had not detected any abnormal radiation levels but would continue to monitor the situation.
In the weeks after the meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan, trace amounts of radioactive iodine-131 were detected over parts of the United States and Canada, as well as areas of Northern Europe, carried aloft by the jet stream.
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