In 2012, we began testing fish and shellfish for radioactivity. The substances we tested for: cesium-134 (Cs-134), cesium-137 (Cs-137), and strontium-90 (Sr-90). Below are test results. All test results show there is no health risk.
Technical laboratory result (PDF) (for those with a scientific background). Questions, contact RadiationInfo@doh.wa.gov.
|
Sample Type
and Location
|
Date Collected |
Substance
|
Result*
|
Health
Risk
|
Albacore Loin - Pacific Coast
|
1/1/2009 |
Cs-134 |
ND** |
No |
| Cs-137 |
0.0045 |
| Sr-90 |
ND** |
| Albacore Bone - Pacific Coast |
1/1/2009 |
Sr-90 |
ND** |
No |
Albacore Loin - Pacific Coast
|
1/1/2009 |
Cs-134 |
ND** |
No |
| Cs-137 |
0.01 |
| Sr-90 |
ND** |
| Albacore Bone - Pacific Coast |
1/1/2009 |
Sr-90 |
ND** |
No |
|
Razor Clam Meat - Pacific Beaches (Mocrocks Area)
|
3/14/2012
|
Cs-134 |
ND** |
No
|
| Cs-137 |
ND** |
|
Razor Clam Meat - Pacific Beaches (Copalis Area)
|
3/14/2012 |
Cs-134 |
ND** |
No |
| Cs-137 |
ND** |
|
Salmon Carcass - Snake River
|
4/19/2012 |
Sr-90 |
ND** |
No
|
|
Salmon Meat - Snake River
|
4/19/2012 |
Cs-137 |
ND** |
No |
| Albacore Bone - Pacific Coast |
8/5/2012 |
Sr-90 |
ND** |
No |
| Albacore Loin - Pacific Coast |
8/5/2012 |
Cs-134 |
ND** |
No |
| Cs-137 |
0.0095 |
| Sr-90 |
ND** |
| Albacore Loin - Pacific Coast |
8/5/2012
|
Cs-134 |
0.00581 |
No |
| Cs-137 |
0.0156 |
| Sr-90 |
ND** |
|
Steelhead Meat - Snake River (Lyons Ferry)
|
11/1/2012 |
Cs-137 |
ND** |
No
|
|
Salmon Carcass - Snake River
|
4/17/2013 |
Sr-90 |
ND** |
No
|
| Salmon Meat - Snake River |
4/17/2013 |
Cs-137 |
ND** |
No
|
| Albacore Bone - Pacific Coast |
8/22/2013 |
Cs-137 |
0.0062 |
No |
|
Albacore Fins and Skin - Pacific Coast
|
8/22/2013 |
Cs-134 |
ND** |
No
|
| Cs-137 |
0.0034 |
| Sr-90 |
ND** |
|
Albacore Loin - Pacific Coast
|
8/22/2013 |
Cs-134 |
0.0027 |
No
|
| Cs-137 |
0.0076 |
| Sr-90 |
ND** |
| Halibut Fin and Skin- Pacific Coast |
8/22/2013 |
Cs-134 |
ND** |
No |
| Cs-137 |
0.0026 |
| Sr-90 |
ND** |
| Halibut Meat - Pacific Coast |
8/22/2013 |
Cs-134 |
ND** |
No |
| Cs-137 |
0.0025 |
| Sr-90 |
ND** |
|
Salmon Meat - Pacific Coast
|
8/22/2013 |
Cs-134 |
ND** |
No
|
| Cs-137 |
0.0038 |
| Sr-90 |
ND** |
|
Salmon Fins and Skin - Pacific Coast
|
8/22/2013 |
Cs-134 |
ND** |
No
|
| Cs-137 |
0.0014 |
| Sr-90 |
ND** |
|
Razor Clam Meat - Pacific Beaches
|
9/2/2013 |
Cs-137 |
ND** |
No
|
| Sr-90 |
ND** |
| Razor Clam Shells - Pacific Beaches |
9/2/2013 |
Cs-137 |
ND** |
No |
|
Mussel Meat - Pacific Beaches
|
9/10/2013 |
Cs-137 |
0.00351 |
No
|
| Sr-90 |
ND** |
| Mussel Shells - Pacific Beaches |
9/10/2013 |
Cs-137 |
ND** |
No |
|
Steelhead Meat - Snake River (Lyons Ferry)
|
10/24/2013 |
Cs-134 |
ND** |
No
|
| Cs-137 |
0.0076 |
| Sr-90 |
ND** |
|
Steelhead Fins and Skin - Snake River (Lyons Ferry)
|
10/24/2013 |
Cs-134 |
ND** |
No
|
| Cs-137 |
0.00551 |
| Sr-90 |
ND** |
|
Steelhead Bone - Snake River (Lyons Ferry)
|
10/24/2013 |
Cs-134 |
ND** |
No
|
| Cs-137 |
0.0053 |
| Sr-90 |
ND** |
| Salmon - Cowlitz Hatchery |
7/1/2014 |
Cs-137 |
0.005
|
No |
| Salmon - Snake River (Lyons Ferry) |
8/25/2014 |
Cs-134 |
ND** |
No |
| Cs-137 |
0.0039 |
|
It's expected some radiation will be found in fish and shellfish. Baseline radiation was seen in albacore samples collected in 2009, before the events at Fukushima. The Cs-134 detected in the albacore samples dated 8/5/2012 shows the events at Fukushima have added to what is considered baseline radiation. Before the Fukushima event, Cs-137 radiation levels in albacore were about 0.005 pCi/g (See Neville, Environ. Sci. and Technol. 2014, 48, 4739-4743).
|
*All samples measured in picocuries per gram, (pCi/gm).
**ND=Not Detected. Detection limits vary depending on various factors, all detection limits are below human health risk levels. For more details, view the Technical laboratory result (PDF) page.
Organizations that monitor seafood safety