DOST chief: Radiation from Japan nuclear plant fires unlikely to reach PHL

Amid an increased risk of radiation from a new explosion at the quake-hit nuclear power plant in Japan, Philippine authorities maintained Wednesday there is very little chance the radiation could reach the Philippines. In a radio interview, Science Secretary Mario Montejo also downplayed the need to scan incoming Filipinos from Japan for radiation, at least at this time. “Napag-usapan namin sa ating nuclear scientists kahapon (Tuesday), even in a worst-case scenario ... halos walang aabot [na radiation] sa atin, especially with the wind pattern na palayo sa atin. Sa Japan lang talaga. Sa atin, almost nil, wala, wala," Montejo said in an interview on dwIZ radio. (We discussed various scenarios Tuesday with our nuclear scientists. Even in a worst-case scenario, there is virtually no chance the radiation will reach us, especially with the Japan wind pattern, which is moving away from the Philippines. The chances of radiation reaching the Philippines are almost nil. None, none...) He also reassured the public that Philippine authorities are keeping tabs on developments involving the latest fire that hit the No. 4 unit at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear complex. He said the exposure of spent nuclear fuel rods to the atmosphere may increase the risk of radiation. But according to him, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) are monitoring the situation. “Ang wind pattern ngayong panahon ay papalayo sa atin... ganyan talaga ... tapos, siyempre, nagbabago nang kaunti. Iyan ang mino-monitor natin everyday. Pero talaga east, papuntang Pacific talaga (We are monitoring the wind pattern daily. So far, the pattern shows the winds from Japan are blowing east, away from the Philippines)," he added. Moreover, he said, “Pati ang sea current palayo rin sa Pilipinas, going north." On the other hand, Montejo said “Ang pinapangamba natin ang total meltdown. We don’t want a total meltdown." He did not elaborate. No need to scan Pinoys, products from Japan For now, Montejo said there is no need to scan Filipinos, as well as products from Japan. “From what I know, there is no recommendation for scanning," he said when asked if there is a need to scan Filipinos from Japan at airports for radiation. He also reiterated there is no need yet to scan food products from Japan at this time. According to him, radioactivity levels in Japan are not yet high enough to affect food products manufactured in Japan, at least as of Wednesday. However, he said, "Every day there will be new developments expected. Once the radiation problems worsen, that’s the time we’ll require scanning." — LBG, GMA News