Washington (CNN) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday it is increasing its nationwide monitoring of radiation in milk, precipitation, drinking water, and other outlets in response to the ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan. The EPA already monitors radiation in those potential exposure routes through an existing network of monitoring stations across the country. Results from a screening sample of milk taken March 25 in Spokane, Washington, detected radioactive iodine at a level 5,000 times lower than the limit set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the EPA said. The I-131 isotope has a very short half-life of about eight days, the EPA said, so the level detected in milk and milk products is expected to drop relatively quickly.
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The Environmental Protection Agency is increasing monitoring nationwide
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It is monitoring milk, precipitation, drinking water, and other outlets
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A milk sample from Washington state shows "miniscule" amounts of radiation
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Tests confirm the milk is safe to drink, governor says
The @placeholder plant has been leaking radiation since it was damaged in the earthquake and resulting tsunami earlier this month.