Safe Drinking Water（アメリアカ大使館のHomepageより）
Events such as the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami can compromise drinking water sources. In addition damage to the Fukushima nuclear power plant raised concerns about the levels of radioactive material, such as Iodine-131, in the drinking water in some parts of Japan.
As a result of the nuclear power plant accident, you can expect levels of radioactive iodine in drinking water in Japan to vary for a period of time. Rain and snow can cause radioactive iodine in the air to fall into waterways and enter the water supply. After a brief period, this material will be diluted by the larger volume of water in the system, decay away, and the levels will return to acceptable ranges. Because radioactive materials in the air can enter the drinking water supply, the Japanese Health Ministry has instructed water purification plants nationwide to stop using rainwater as a drinking water source.
In addition, local governments in Japan are testing drinking water regularly to see if Iodine-131 and other radioactive materials from the plant are entering the water supply. If radioactive materials do enter the water supply, the Japanese government is measuring their radiation levels to determine if they are within the limits set to protect public health. When levels exceed the established limits, the Japanese government will advise people to drink bottled water for a short time, until levels are once again within the limits.
As in the United States, the Japanese government has set drinking water standards to protect public health. Although Japanese standards may differ from those in the United States, Japanese drinking water standards are appropriate and protective of public health.
- The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is monitoring levels of radioactive material in water throughout Japan
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention answers questions about ionizing radiation in water .
- CDC also provides information about safe drinking water after a tsunami .
• 日本文部科学省は、日本中で水に対する放射性物質の濃度をモニターしています
• 疾病対策センターは、飲料水の放射線についての質問に答えます。
• CDCも、津波の後安全な飲料水に関する情報を提供します