Fukushima radiation is being detected on the US west coastal shores for the first time

Water, from samples, collected in January and February of 2016, has been detected to contain radioactive materials emanating from the Fukushima nuclear meltdown that occurred in 2011.

The samples were procured along the west coast the United States in Tillamook Bay and Gold Beach, Oregon.  The research is being done at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Researchers report that the metal is being found at such a low level, it is not harmful to humans.

Additionally, the Fukushima InFORM project, led by University of Victoria chemical oceanographer Jay Cullen, has detected cesium-134 in Canadian salmon.  Cesium-134 is directly linked to Fukushima because of its half-life.

“As the contamination plume progresses towards our coast we expect levels closer to shore to increase over the coming year,” Cullen said.

The scientists involved in the study believe that, though the chemicals found in the water supply and fish are not dangerous at their current level, they could indicate a rise in the concentration of radioactive materials in the future.  They are placing an serious issue arising in 4 to 5 years, the amount of time it would take for further radioactive pollution to make its way to the US's west coast.

They are clocking the speed of the oceanic plume to be moving at about twice the speed of a snail.