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Extremely Low Levels Of Radiation Reach Southern California

LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) A diplomat in Vienna says Japan's radioactive fallout has reached Southern California, but first readings are "about a billion times beneath levels that would be health threatening."

The diplomat, who has access to U.N. radiation tracking, was citing readings Friday from one of its California-based measuring stations.

He asked for anonymity Friday because the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization does not make its data public.

Health and nuclear experts say there is absolutely no cause for alarm because the radiation is being diluted during its journey across the Pacific Ocean.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District is monitoring radiation levels at three sites in Southern California. Concerned residents can now get a daily update about radiation levels by visiting AQMD.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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