BRUSSELS (Reuters), Aug 29 - Belgian authorities have restricted consumption of vegetables and milk produced near a nuclear medicine institute after a leakage of radioactive iodine, the European Commission said on Friday.
The institute in Fleurus in southern Belgium produces radioisotopes used to treat cancer.
"Belgian authorities ... have now decided to implement protective actions, in particular restrictions on the consumption of local food produce (vegetables and milk), up to a distance of 5 km (sector northeast)," the EU executive said in a statement.
The measures were taken after samples of local grass showed higher-than-expected contamination.
A Commission spokesman said that he was unaware of anyone being contaminated. Belgian authorities said there was no need to distribute iodine pills to the population as would typically be done after a major leak.
The Belgian nuclear control agency said on Thursday that the incident, which took place last weekend, was "serious" and rated it three out of seven on the International Nuclear Incident Scale (INES).
Incidents are classified at seven levels -- levels one to three are considered "incidents," while levels four to seven are termed "accidents."
Chernobyl is the only level seven accident to date and the vast majority of events are classified below level three.
Belgian authorities have drawn heavy criticism for the handling of the crisis.
"What do we do with people who have eaten vegetables? Why wait so many days before announcing measures?" the Belga news agency quoted Green member of parliament Jean-Marc Nollet as saying. Nollet asked for an independent investigation.
Last Updated: 2008-08-29 10:00:16 -0400 (Reuters Health)
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