Article #3

Japan bans Fukushima rice shipment due to contamination

by BBC

published: 18 November 2011 accessed: 19 November 2011

After high level of radioactive cesium detected on the Fukushima rice, Japan has banned shipping of rice near Fukushima. The rice had 630 becquerel per kilogram of radioactive cesium, when the safety limit is 500 becquerel  per kilogram. The rice that contained high level of radioactive cesium came from 60km away from the nuclear plant. This nuclear plant was damaged during March due to earthquake and tsunami; resulting in radiation leaks. Thankful, the pre-shipment rice had not been sold to any consumer. The government is taking the rice back and restricted the shipment of rich harvested this year. Though there were series of other agriculture product banned such as, mushroom and beef, this is the first time that government banned shipment of rice in this area.

            It is unfortunate that Japan is going though a hard time. There economy is going through a downfall at least regarding agriculture. Japanese living near the nuclear plants not only have to face psychological problem, fear, but also economic difficulty, especially ones in agriculture. This is also the opportunity cost, when Japan decided that they are going to build nuclear plant, many countries opposed for events like this might occur. The opportunity cost of Japan having surplus of electricity was the tragic events like this might occur. This also effects Japan as a whole, with Fukushima’s rice banned there will be shortage of rice indicating that there will be more imports needed. This will result in loss in terms of import and export in Japan. I sincerely hope this issue will resolve as fast as it can.

Becquerel- 
            The SI derived unit used to measure the rate of radioactive decay. 

            Origin- 20th century, Thomson had been made Lord Kelvin in appreciation of his many scientific accomplishments

            Thankfully, in Woodstock School there is low becquerel ker kilo detected.

Contamination-

            the act of contaminating.

Origin- 1600, from L. contaminationem, noun of action fromcontaminare (see contaminate). Fig. sense is from c.1620;specifically of radioactivity from 1913.

Megan drinks shower water and is still not contaminated yet.

Caesium/ Cesium-

            a rare, highly reactive, soft, metallic element of the alkali metalgroup.

Origin- 1930–35  neuter ofcaesius  bluish-grey;

Hopefully there is no cesium in our science lab.