Source: CNA
SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Friday that there are no abnormal changes in radiation levels in Singapore and the public should not be unduly alarmed.
The same assurance came from national water agency PUB which said it is monitoring water supplies and there is no sign of contamination so far.
Some Singaporeans are concerned that dangerous particles from Japan's troubled Fukushima nuclear reactors could get to Singapore.
The UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) currently categorises the Fukushima incident as level 4, which is an "accident with local consequences".
But Japan's nuclear safety agency on Friday raised the threat level to 5, indicating "an accident with wider consequences".
Natural background radiation varies from place to place, but NEA said the average level in Singapore averages at about 0.1 microsieverts per hour, which is within safe limits.
It said it is closely tracking the impact of the Fukushima nuclear incident, and is conducting daily modelling studies.
As Singapore is located more than 5,000 kilometres away from Fukushima, NEA said there is minimal risk of Singapore being affected by the radioactive plume.
"Looking ahead, in the worst-case scenario, if there is a radioactive plume resulting from an explosion at the incident site, the risk of it arriving in Singapore is indeed very low because we are about 5,000 kilometres away," said Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim on the sidelines of a briefing by the NEA.
"But even if we assume that there are prevailing winds transporting the plume towards Singapore, by the time the plume has travelled that distance, the concentration would have been reduced significantly, back to sort of the normal background levels. So there is minimal risk of Singapore being affected by any radiological plume."
Experts added that there is also no need to rush for potassium iodide pills.
"It is not a magic cure for any form of radiation exposure. The only purpose of taking potassium iodide tablets is to saturate the thyroid gland with non-radioactive iodine to block the excess of the radioactive iodine into the body. And that recommendation is only to take it only when the authorities instruct people to do so," said Anthony Goh, head of Singapore General Hospital's Department of Nuclear Medicine.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan also said there's no reason for Singaporeans to worry about the radiation leak from Japan.
"Obviously it's a very serious situation in Fukushima nuclear plant itselt. But based on the assessment, I think the risk outside of Fukushima is very low and certainly Singapore being very far away, the risk is an extremely low one. In any case we have to be geared up just in case," he said.
The minister was speaking after receiving the Eminent Alumni Award from the Australian Trade Commission on Friday.
This is the highest honour given out at the inaugural Australian Alumni Awards.
Mr Khaw, a graduate from the University of Newcastle, was among nine alumni members who were recognised for their exemplary achievements or contribution.
Download our free toolbar here
SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Friday that there are no abnormal changes in radiation levels in Singapore and the public should not be unduly alarmed.
The same assurance came from national water agency PUB which said it is monitoring water supplies and there is no sign of contamination so far.
Some Singaporeans are concerned that dangerous particles from Japan's troubled Fukushima nuclear reactors could get to Singapore.
The UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) currently categorises the Fukushima incident as level 4, which is an "accident with local consequences".
But Japan's nuclear safety agency on Friday raised the threat level to 5, indicating "an accident with wider consequences".
Natural background radiation varies from place to place, but NEA said the average level in Singapore averages at about 0.1 microsieverts per hour, which is within safe limits.
It said it is closely tracking the impact of the Fukushima nuclear incident, and is conducting daily modelling studies.
As Singapore is located more than 5,000 kilometres away from Fukushima, NEA said there is minimal risk of Singapore being affected by the radioactive plume.
"Looking ahead, in the worst-case scenario, if there is a radioactive plume resulting from an explosion at the incident site, the risk of it arriving in Singapore is indeed very low because we are about 5,000 kilometres away," said Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim on the sidelines of a briefing by the NEA.
"But even if we assume that there are prevailing winds transporting the plume towards Singapore, by the time the plume has travelled that distance, the concentration would have been reduced significantly, back to sort of the normal background levels. So there is minimal risk of Singapore being affected by any radiological plume."
Experts added that there is also no need to rush for potassium iodide pills.
"It is not a magic cure for any form of radiation exposure. The only purpose of taking potassium iodide tablets is to saturate the thyroid gland with non-radioactive iodine to block the excess of the radioactive iodine into the body. And that recommendation is only to take it only when the authorities instruct people to do so," said Anthony Goh, head of Singapore General Hospital's Department of Nuclear Medicine.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan also said there's no reason for Singaporeans to worry about the radiation leak from Japan.
"Obviously it's a very serious situation in Fukushima nuclear plant itselt. But based on the assessment, I think the risk outside of Fukushima is very low and certainly Singapore being very far away, the risk is an extremely low one. In any case we have to be geared up just in case," he said.
The minister was speaking after receiving the Eminent Alumni Award from the Australian Trade Commission on Friday.
This is the highest honour given out at the inaugural Australian Alumni Awards.
Mr Khaw, a graduate from the University of Newcastle, was among nine alumni members who were recognised for their exemplary achievements or contribution.
