A week after a leak from a nearby nuclear facility, residents of Lambusart village near the Belgian town of Fleurus were told Sunday they will be given medical tests, starting with children and pregnant women.
The aim was to restore "full calm", the local health authority said. It had already given assurances Saturday that there was no danger. Examinations would begin Monday of all children under 12, and pregnant women.
The local population had been warned Friday not to consume locally- produced vegetables and dairy products following the leak of radioactive iodine. The interior ministry also issued a warning against the consumption of local dairy products, the dpa reported.
The warnings follow the discovery of unusually high levels of radiation in grass samples taken near the Institut National de Radio- elements, which makes radioisotopes used to treat cancer.
The European Commission said it had been notified of the radioactive leak, which was rated at Level 3 on the International Nuclear Incident Scale of seven.
Officials in Brussels said there was no evidence of anyone having been contaminated by the leak, which occurred last weekend. Fleurus is located about 60 kilometres south of Brussels.