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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government continues to closely monitor the Fukushima nuclear incident. Various departments are keeping track of radiation levels in Hong Kong's air and fresh water, and in food and imported products from Japan, round the clock. The latest monitoring results for the 24 hours until noon today (May 27) from the relevant departments are as follows:
Radiation level in Hong Kong
According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the radiation level in Hong Kong remained normal in the past 24 hours.
Food safety
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) continues to collect samples from local fish culture zones and fish wholesale markets under the Fish Marketing Organization for radiological testing on a daily basis. Out of the 15 samples tested in the past 24 hours, one captured grey mullet sample collected from the Castle Peak Wholesale Fish Market was detected with traceable amount of iodine-131 (7.7 Bq/kg). The level does not exceed the guideline level (100Bq/kg) set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Based on risk assessment, normal consumption of grey mullets at this low radiation level will not pose any health risk to the consumer. The department will continue to closely monitor the situation.
From March 22 until noon of May 27, 743 samples of fishery products were tested and seven of them were grey mullet. The results of all samples were satisfactory.
The Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has examined 275 food samples imported from Japan, including 31 samples by air and 244 samples by sea, in the past 24 hours. Samples included aquatic products, vegetables, fruits, meat, meat products, drinks and others. All examined samples were satisfactory.
Water safety
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 showed no observable change in the radioactivity level of all samples. The radiological quality of fresh water remains normal and safe.
Sea and air cargo
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, Customs has checked 9,583 air consignments and 78 sea containers, including three consignments of pharmaceutical products and ten consignments of cosmetics. No irregularities have been detected so far.
For more relevant statistics and information, please visit "Japan Earthquake - Information for Residents" at the GovHK website, www.gov.hk.
Ends/Friday, May 27, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:09
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