Current radiation levels in Japan and travel advice - IMO release 15th April

Radioactive material from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant is gradually spreading outside Japan into the global atmosphere but at extremely low concentrations that do not present health or transportation safety hazards, according to the United Nations organizations closely monitoring the situation.

Japanese authorities confirm that all airports in the country, with the exception of Sendai which was affected by the tsunami of 11 March, continue to operate normally for both international and domestic operations. Continuous monitoring around these airports confirms that radiation levels are well within safe limits from a health perspective.

For updates, travellers visiting Japan by air are advised to consult a dedicated website established by the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau:

http://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/flyjapan_en/

.

Japanese authorities also confirm that all international seaports not damaged by the earthquake and tsunami are operating normally and that no health risk has been detected around the ports, based on the results of measurements of radiation levels by local governments.

Further information covering all aspects of the response of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, as well as information regarding the radiation dose in Tokyo Bay can be found on the following websites:

http://www.mlit.go.jp/page/kanbo01_hy_001411.htmlhttp://www.mlit.go.jp/kowan/kowan_fr1_000041.html

Screening for radiation of passengers arriving from Japan is currently considered unnecessary at airports or seaports around the world.

The UN agencies involved in the monitoring process are the World Health Organization, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Meteorological Organization, the International Maritime Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization and the World Tourism Organization.

Further information is available on the website of the World Health Organization -

www.who.int

IMO has issued revised circular letter 3175/Rev.1.

___

IMO - the International Maritime Organization - is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.

Web site:

www.imo.org

For further information please contact:

Lee Adamson, Head, Public Information Services on 020 7587 3153 (

media@imo.org

)

Natasha Brown, External Relations Officer on 020 7587 3274 (

media@imo.org

).

Staff Author

UK P&I

Date15/04/2011