ORANGEBURG (WACH) -- Radiation possibly stemming from Japan's crippled Fukushima Diichi plant has been detected at South Carolina State University.

According to a release from the school Dr. Zheng Chang, a visiting associate professor of radiochemistry, detected a trace amount of iodine-131. Dr. Chang and university students have been monitoring air samples for radioactivity since the earthquake and tsunami that sparked the problems at the Japanese plant.

Dr. Chang stresses that the amount of radiation detected does not pose a health risk to people in the Orangeburg community.

“The results of Dr Chang’s work is what we call qualitative information,” said Dr. Kenneth Lewis, dean of the College of Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology. “It shows that nuclear material is present in the atmosphere. Dr. Chang is now working to quantify it. Within a week or two, the exact concentrations of the radioactive materials will be known.”  

Earlier this week South Carolina Electric and Gas, Progress Energy and Duke Energy all announced that they have detected trace radiation from Japan's nuclear reactor.

Nuclear experts and health officials also say there is no public health risk. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says people are exposed to much more radiation on an international airline flight.

"Our sun gives off a certain amount of radiation, certain stars that may have exploded millions of years ago and radiation is finally coming to the earth.  We have naturally occurring radioactive materials in cement," says USC Director of Radiation Safety Dan Zurosky.

Dr. Chang and his students will continue to monitor the radioisotope levels in Orangeburg.

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