Japanese Radiation Floats Over Florida's Crystal River Nuclear Plant

Progress Energy reported detecting "very low levels" of radioactive Iodine 131 in the air over its Crystal River nuclear plant on Florida's West Coast.

Progress Energy spokesman Drew Elliot said the Iodine 131 was the result of nuclear leaks at the Fukushima plant in Japan.

Elliot said very sensitive equipment at the utility's Crystal River nuclear plant, as well as its Robinson facility in South Carolina, detected iodine radiation in the atmosphere, but said it did not pose a health threat.

A news release from the utility stated that similar readings were expected at the Harris plant near New Hill, N.C., and the Brunswick plant near Southport, N.C., in the coming days.