SeeCalifornia.com

Photo: Children learn about the importance of kelp and the food chain during hands-on activity days at aquariums in California.

With the latest news release this week that elevated levels of radioactive isotopes were found in giant kelp all the way from Santa Cruz to Southern California where the strongest concentrations tested were in Corona del Mar, comes the question: “What does this have to do with me? I don’t eat kelp.”

An upcoming Kelpfest in Laguna Beach showcases how humans DO eat kelp. Most the time they don’t even know it. From Nutrigain energy snack bars to frozen waffles, kelp is used in the food industry in a big way. You’ll find it in dips, sauces, salad dressings, jams & jellies, noodles, soups, ramen and macaroni. You’ll also find it in many health products. Kelp is used in soaps, shampoos, and countless personal care solutions, lotions and bars.

Radioactive particles released in the nuclear reactor meltdown in Fukushima, Japan, after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami made their way around the world, with closer countries and cities  in the path being some of the biggest recipients of radioactive particles. While questions arose afterward as to the safety of fish caught in the Pacific Ocean, experts quoted in the press brushed off the idea that the levels would be harmful, and most continue to during the latest findings about kelp.

Just miles from where the highest Fukushima radiation was found in kelp along the California coast, a small quantity of radioactive gas recently leaked inside one of the buildings at San Onofre nuclear power plant north of San Diego. The  renovated reactor which uses new pipes and tubes produced in Japan is showing unusual wear and cause for concern. Citizens living in close proximity to that plant in cities such as San Clemente and Oceanside have demonstrated, and some are urging complete, permanent shutdown of the plant to avoid a disaster of the magnitude of Fukushima.

One thing is apparent. We are all related in the food chain.