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Forestry Agency to test Fukushima cedar pollen for radioactivity

22 Comments

The Forestry Agency plans to measure the amount of radioactive cesium contained in cedar pollen originating from Fukushima Prefecture.

The proposed study, the first of its kind, would take place between November of this year and January 2012, the agency said on its website.

The agency said that cedar pollen tends to begin to fill the air in February, so it is important to establish whether or not the pollen is radioactive before that date. If significant amounts of radioactive cesium are detected, the agency said it may start to provide radioactive pollen count forecasts.

According to the agency, 20% of Fukushima Prefecture is forested and contains approximately 185,000 hectares of cedar trees. The agency said that a study on this scale has never been carried out before, and scientists are not yet sure how the cesium will concentrate in the leaves and pollen of cedar trees.

The study team is expected to produce an interim report on their findings in mid-December.

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22 Comments
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And if it is radioactive? Stop going outside?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

like any other radioactive affected things in Japan, it will also have no "immediate" health problems :(

4 ( +5 / -1 )

remains to be seen how authentic and forthcoming this new report will be. Even if the results show radioactivity, what are options for normal people? Stop going outside? Wear normal mask like every year and pretend they are radioactive proof? Expect another new topic to increase the ever present anxiety without any clear answers/precautionary measures available.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

just don't inhale any pollens if you can help it.......................oops, that would be difficult unless you wear a mask 24/7

3 ( +3 / -0 )

This will be something to follow. Tree's have been working to support life on Earth' in one shape or another, since the beginning.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I think the full headline reads "Forestry Agency to test Fukushima cedar pollen for radiation and find everything clear, just like the rice, so don't worry yourselves, just carry on as though everything's OK, er, which of course it is."

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Don't forget to check Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Guma, Ibaraki, Saitama...

2 ( +4 / -2 )

This will be quite interesting to follow

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Probably sponsored by a mask-making company! Seriously, though, what a double whammy for those strongly affected by pollen allergies. "Ummm... this year not only do you get screwed by the pollen, but there's an extra 'treat' in it for you!"

1 ( +2 / -1 )

What I can't fathom is they STILL haven't cut down all these damn cedar trees, which cause misery for millions.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Whether or not it is radioactive might it not be better to cut the trees down or spray them before they let out the pollen with a kind of resin or hairspray to keep it from going airborne?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Anybody else remember our great leader Ishihara's campaign a few years ago to defeat kafunsho? His photo was all over the place with a defiant fist in the air - then nothing. I wonder how much we paid for that? It would be interesting if he has an update for us in the light of this news story.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

If the radiation doesn't kill you the cedar pollen will. It wouldn't bother me if they razed every cedar forest in this country. Let them plant all the mountainsides with something non-allergenic. Like tiny bonsai.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Radioactive pollen which will spread and settle on rice paddies, orchards, and vegetables fields. I foresee the following headline in CE 2031: PEOPLE'S COMMUNIST PARTY NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN: "There has been a significant rise in the incidence of cancer among the population of our glorious people's servants who have steadfastly supported the people by immigrating from the Eastern Province (formerly known as Japan). Because this health problem is found to such a high degree within this cadre of people's servants it must be that the problem arises from genetics or unhealthy ethnic cultural practices. Therefore we have taken steps to insure the safety of the Chinese people by isolating this valiant cadre in special health re-education camps and culling as we see fit."

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Dear Serrano, now if you cut down all them nasty cedar trees, that release TONS and TONS of pollen into the wind every year, causing KAFUNSHO, 花粉症, just think of all the $$$$ that will not be spent on buying masks, hey fever medicine, etc..by all the millions, including myself that suffer every year and now on top of that, maybe it is all mixed up with a bit of radiation for good measure?? I know it sounds far fetched but hay fever, I guess they call it pollen allergy back in the old country is a huge $$$$$$ business here and in many parts of the world.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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