BendiNewsTest: Extremely High Numbers of Radioactive Reindeer Appear in Norway

In a twisted take on Rudolph’s glowing nose, scientists have found that levels of radioactivity amongst Norway’s reindeer are higher this year than they have been for a long time. Although it’s been nearly 30 years after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, Norwegian scientists have measured radiation levels in reindeer populations in Central Norway that are more than five times higher than they were when last measured in 2012: 8,200 becquerel per kilo in Sept. 2014 versus 1,500 becquerel per kilo in Sept. 2012. Scientists also measured the levels of radioactivity in sheep populations and found those to be 4,500 becquerel per kilo at maximum. To put those numbers in perspective, 600 becquerel per kilo is the safety limit for human consumption of sheep meat.