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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government continues to closely monitor the Fukushima nuclear incident. Various departments will keep track of the radiation level of the air and fresh water in Hong Kong, food and imported products from Japan round the clock. As at noon today (March 29), the latest monitoring results for the past 24 hours from the relevant departments are as follows:
Radiation level in Hong Kong
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The Hong Kong Observatory detected very minute amount of artificial radionuclide Iodine-131 from air sample collected at King's Park on March 26 and 27, 2011.
Since the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11, the Hong Kong Observatory has increased the sampling frequency of air particulate at King's Park to once a day, as compared to weekly sampling in the past.
Owing to the very low radiation dose, the Hong Kong Observatory needs to extend the measurement time from normally a few hours to 22 hours. Even with this measuring method, the amount of radioactive iodine detected is still very small, that will not affect public health and no precautionary measures are required. Radiation level in Hong Kong remains normal and the public needs not worry.
Water safety
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The Water Supplies Department continues to monitor the radioactivity level of Dongjiang water supplied to Hong Kong, raw water from impounding reservoirs and fresh water. In the past 24 hours, the monitoring results show that the radioactivity level of all samples did not show any observable change. The radiological quality of fresh water remains normal and safe.
Sea and air cargo
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The Hong Kong Customs continues to select cargoes imported from Japan for inspection, including pharmaceutical products, cosmetics and personal hygiene products. In the past 24 hours, the Customs has checked 1,574 air consignments and 44 sea containers, including two consignments of pharmaceutical products and seven consignments of cosmetics. No irregularities have been detected so far.
Food Safety
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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department continues to collect samples from local fish culture zones and fish wholesale markets under the Fish Marketing Organisation for radiological testing on a daily basis. In the past 24 hours, the results of all collected samples were satisfactory.
The Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department had examined 68 food samples imported from Japan (including 22 samples by air and 46 samples by sea) in the past 24 hours. Samples examined including aquatic products, vegetables, fruits, drinks and others. All examined samples were satisfactory.
Assistance to Hong Kong residents
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The Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department (ImmD) has not received any new request for assistance during the past 24 hours. There are still three persons believed to be in Japan who cannot be contacted. The ImmD will continue to closely monitor the situation and take whatever action as appropriate.
For more relevant statistics and information, please visit "Japan Earthquake - Information for Residents" at GovHK website, www.gov.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:01
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