The level of dioxin in produce grown in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, is not substantially above the national average and does not pose any threat to human health, according to a set of emergency government studies released Thursday.
The Environment Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Health and Welfare Ministry conducted joint research on dioxin concentrations in spinach and tea, as well as in the air, water and soil, in response to the panic stemming from a Feb. 1 TV Asahi report alleging that agricultural products grown near Tokorozawa, an area with a high number of waste incinerators.
According to the government results, the levels found "will not impact the health of people." The three government organs, as well as Saitama Prefecture, officially declared later in the day that Saitama produced tea and spinach safe for consumption.