SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Environmental Protection Agency officials say they're ratcheting down the nation's radiation monitoring program for rain, drinking water and milk because readings have been dropping consistently in the wake of the Japanese nuclear crisis.
Extremely low levels of radiation linked to the stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant showed up in milk in California and Washington state in late March. But the agency says the levels both then and earlier this week were so miniscule they were not harmful to public health.
A notice posted on the agency's website Thursday says the EPA has resumed taking routine samples of water and milk every three months.
The agency also is weighing whether to keep operating additional air monitors sent out after the magnitude-9.0 earthquake and tsunami struck the power plant on March 10.
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