Radioactive iodine detected in air in Imatra and Kotka

Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority detected very small amounts of radioactive iodine in the air in Imatra and Kotka in late October, Yle reports. The levels pose no risk to people or the environment.

The authority, known as STUK, found a radioactive isotope of iodine on filters in air-sampling devices. It said the measurement methods are highly sensitive and the concentrations were extremely low.

Radioactive iodine can be released by facilities that manufacture radioactive medicines or during maintenance work at nuclear power plants. Based on air-flow calculations, STUK said the substances detected were unlikely to have come from Finnish power plants.

STUK monitors radioactive substances in outdoor air at eight locations in Finland: Helsinki, Imatra, Ivalo, Kajaani, Kotka, Kuopio, Rovaniemi and Sodankylä.