Calls for fish testing in U.S. west grows

Joining the American Medical Association, nuclear scientists who were once wary of voicing concerns over the potential effects of Japan's Fukushima disaster on U.S. waters are now calling for seafood testing. This push is in response to the recent revelation that at least 300 tons of poisoned ground water has bled into the Pacific Ocean from the damaged nuclear plant.

Recent: Fukushima poisoning the Pacific

The biggest concern is the discovery of elevated levels of strontium 90, a radioactive material that gathers in a fish's bones. Though these spikes have only been recorded in and around Japan, specialists are concerned seafood in the United States is now at risk. While expressing said-concerns, scientists were quick to downplay their own calls for action, making every effort to avoid causing a panic among consumers.

Exposure to strontium 90 can cause certain types of cancers, in addition to endangering expectant mothers and their unborn children. Regarding to the latter, long-time supporters of testing have noted a rise of certain birth defects in babies born on the U.S. west coast - especially hypothyroidism - since the nuclear accident occurred in March 2011.