Japan- Playground dioxin levels declared low

[John Visher <visherjc@crisscross.com>]

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/news11-99/news.html#story5

(November 25)



     Playground dioxin levels declared low

          The levels of dioxin pollution in children's playgrounds were
lower than average soil samples from around the nation, according to the

          results of first domestic data released Thursday.

          The Environment Agency study found dirt and sand from
playgrounds frequented by children to have levels of 1.1 picogram of
dioxin per
          gram, compared with the national average of 6.2 picograms and
the 28 picogram average found in agricultural land. A picogram is a
          trillionth of a gram.

          The study targeted 354 parks and playgrounds around the nation

taking samples from sites where more than five children under the age of

          six play regularly.

          Agency officials said "the levels are very low" and pose no
threat to children.

          On Thursday, the agency also released the results of a study
on the amount of dioxin absorbed from soil.

          Study results from experiments on rats indicated that only
four percent to six percent of dioxin from contaminated dirt consumed is

          absorbed. Foreign studies on animals have shown levels of
absorption from 10 percent to 40 percent, the agency said.