State Monitoring Air, Water and Food for Radiation

State health department officials announced Sunday afternoon that they are monitoring air, water and food supplies for trace amounts of radiation related to the the nuclear reactor incidents in Japan.

In an email, state health department officials said the monitoring was a follow up to announcements by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Both agencies announced Sunday that small amounts of radioactive materials may be detectable in the air and in precipitation across the country. The amounts are so small they are only detectable by using very sensitive equipment, the news release stated.

"Maryland is monitoring air, water, and food supplies for trace amounts of radiation," said Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, secretary of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in the release. "We have found no reason for public health concern."

The state Department of Health and Menatal Hygiene is making two fact sheets available to the public on its website.

One, entitled "Maryland’s Surveillance and Preparedness for Radiation," explains surveillance, planning, training and preparedness for radiation incidents in the state.

A second, titled "Iodine-131," explains the current status of monitoring for trace amounts of radioactive Iodine in Maryland and across the country, as a result of the Japanese nuclear accident, according to the release.

More information can also be found on the websites for the CDC and the EPA.