Bridgestone plans to recall 9,405 of its Jobno bicycles in Japan after radioactive materials were found in its Chinese-made stainless steel basket. Radiation of 7.5 to 10.6 microsieverts per hour was detected on the upper edge of the baskets attached to the bikes, according to Bridgestone Cycle and the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry. The isotope was identified as cobalt-60, which was not present in the fallout spewed by the Fukushima No. 1 power plant.The company is examining why the stainless steel includes the radioactive material. Riding the bicycle for an hour a day would expose the rider to 0.059 millisievert a year.
The level is far below the 100-millisievert level thought to increase the risk of cancer. Bridgestone has not yet decided when to issue the recall. Bridgestone Cycle, a unit of tire maker Bridgestone, will recall Jobno models JB40TP, JB60TP, JB63TP, JB70TP, JB73TP, JB40T, JB43T, JB60T, JB63T, JB70T and JB73T. The company’s customer call center can be reached at 0120-72-1911.
