Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Scientists from the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) have confirmed unusually high levels of the radioactive isotope iodine-129 in the West Philippine Sea.The long-term study, led by Dr. Angel Bautista VII, began in 2017–2018 with a focus on tracing contamination from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident.Initial analysis examined coral samples from Baler on the Pacific Ocean side and Parola Island in the West Philippine Sea. Surprisingly, the iodine-129 levels in the West Philippine Sea were significantly higher than those in the Pacific, despite expectations that former U.S. nuclear testing in the Pacific would produce elevated readings there.“Napansin namin na from 1970s onwards... parang mas mataas iyong levels ng iodine-129 nga doon sa West Philippine Sea side kumpara doon sa Pacific Ocean side. Nagtaka kami kasi iyong mga bomb testing site noon ng US, nasa Pacific Ocean e’,” Dr. Bautista explained.He added that while iodine-129 is naturally produced in very low amounts, the elevated levels are mostly linked to nuclear activities, including bomb testing, fuel reprocessing, or nuclear accidents.“Mas nanggagaling siya sa mga nuclear activities. Can be nuclear bomb testing, nuclear fuel reprocessing, or nuclear accident nga,” Bautista said.The Fukushima accident in March 2011, caused by a magnitude 9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami, led to a partial meltdown of Japan’s nuclear reactors. Coral data indicate that radioactive materials from Fukushima reached Philippine waters around 2014.“Based doon sa corals, sa data na nakuha namin, nakaabot siya dito sa atin noong mga 2014. So, it takes around three and a half years based sa data na nakuha natin sa corals using iodine-129 din. So na-verify natin na umabot. Pero hindi naman din gano;n ka-alarming or kataas,” Bautista noted.Sample collection relied heavily on collaboration with the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) during research cruises, while specialized analyses required the use of an Accelerator Mass Spectrometer at the University of Tokyo.“Actually, iyong equipment to analyze iodine-129 wala dito sa Philippines. Kahit sa ASEAN, wala e’. So, kailangan pa pumunta sa Japan to analyze iyong iodine-129,” he said.The recently published findings indicate that iodine-129 concentrations in the West Philippine Sea are 50–70 percent higher than other Philippine waters.“Iyong unusually high, doesn&#x27;t mean naman na dangerous na siya. So, kapag i-compare siya sa kahit anong seawater from other parts of the country, mataas doon sa sides of the West Philippine Sea by about 50 to 70 percent. So, kaya nasabi natin unusually high. Pero health-wise or environment-wise, we don&#x27;t see anything alarming naman,” Bautista clarified.Researchers hypothesize that the likely source of the elevated iodine-129 is nuclear activities in the Yellow Sea, situated between China, South Korea, and North Korea, transported southward by coastal currents.“Most most likely... tingin namin, nanggagaling siya doon sa Yellow Sea na part. So, parang South Korea, North Korea, China. Meron kasing coastal currents din from Yellow Sea. It&#x27;s well documented na merong pababa din na mga coastal currents, na pwede magdala from Yellow Sea down to the West Philippine Sea,” he explained.Despite higher readings, the West Philippine Sea is far from being considered “contaminated” when compared to bodies of water near nuclear reprocessing facilities in Europe and the Arctic.The study also highlights gaps in the Philippines’ environmental monitoring and policy frameworks.“Hindi natin regularly mino-monitor iyong mga ganitong radioactive materials or radioactive substances. So, may gap tayo doon. Isa sa aming recommendations, sana ma-improve natin iyong mga policies natin as a country... iyong mga radioactive substances,” Bautista said.Government support has been robust, with project funding from DOST, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) for P8 million, and National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) for P5 million.Dr. Bautista emphasized the importance of increased investment in science.“Para sa akin po ito... kung titingnan natin lahat ng mga pinakamauunlad na bansa, sobrang lakas nila sa science, sa technology. Paano tayo makikipagsabayan sa mga pinakamauunlad na bansa kung hindi strong iyong ating foundation sa science, sa research, sa technology?” he said.While iodine-129 levels are slowly rising, the isotope’s extremely long half-life of 16 million years and low radioactivity mean that risks remain negligible.Continuous monitoring, improved policies, and investment in local analytical capabilities are seen as critical steps for the Philippines to strengthen its environmental preparedness and maritime safety.

Scientists from the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) have confirmed unusually high levels of the radioactive isotope iodine-129 in the West Philippine Sea.

Scientists from the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) have confirmed unusually high levels of the radioactive isotope iodine-129 in the West Philippine Sea.

Scientists detect ‘unusually high’ radioactive iodine in West Philippine Sea

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Scientists detect ‘unusually high’ radioactive iodine in West Philippine Sea

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 19, 2026 07:41 PM PHT

Read More:

DOST-PNRI

West Philippine Sea

Nuclear Research

Iodine-129

radioactive isotope

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