scholarly journals Radiocesium levels in contaminated forests has remained stable, even after heavy rains due to typhoons and localized downpours

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuyuki Taira ◽  
Masahiko Matsuo ◽  
Takumi Yamaguchi ◽  
Yumiko Yamada ◽  
Makiko Orita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Environmental Radiation ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Radiation Contamination ◽  
Personal Dosimeter ◽  
Ambient Dose ◽  
Heavy Rains

Abstract In recent years, Japan has suffered serious damage due to natural disasters such as earthquakes, heavy rains due to tropical storms (typhoons) and localized downpours. To assess the chronological changes in the attenuation of external exposure doses and environmental radiation contamination due to the rainfall associated with typhoons and heavy rains during October to December 2019 in Fukushima, we measured environmental radiation levels in forest areas along the Mt Okura hiking trail in Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture, near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. We confirmed that (1) current ambient dose rates of 0.38–0.95 μSv/h in most forest areas were 79.9–84.7% higher than in residential areas; (2) the number of sites along the hiking trail where 137Cs was detected was limited (1.1–4.7%); and (3) individual dose rates of 0.21–0.34 μSv/h were lower than ambient dose rates. These findings suggest that radiocesium has remained stable in natural forests that have not been decontaminated even though current levels are low, despite the occurrence of heavy rainfall associated with Super Typhoon Hagibis in 2019 and localized downpours. Hiking while managing exposure to environmental contamination using a personal dosimeter may be the safest model for spending time of leisure activities.

scholarly journals Infection Load and Prevalence of Novel Viruses Identified from the Bank Vole Do Not Associate with Exposure to Environmental Radioactivity

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenni Kesäniemi ◽  
Anton Lavrinienko ◽  
Eugene Tukalenko ◽  
Tapio Mappes ◽  
Phillip C. Watts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bank Vole ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Environmental Radioactivity ◽  
Myodes Glareolus ◽  
Environmental Radiation ◽  
Bank Voles ◽  
Zoonotic Viruses ◽  
Repair Activity ◽  
Radiation Contamination

Bank voles (Myodes glareolus) are host to many zoonotic viruses. As bank voles inhabiting areas contaminated by radionuclides show signs of immunosuppression, resistance to apoptosis, and elevated DNA repair activity, we predicted an association between virome composition and exposure to radionuclides. To test this hypothesis, we studied the bank vole virome in samples of plasma derived from animals inhabiting areas of Ukraine (contaminated areas surrounding the former nuclear power plant at Chernobyl, and uncontaminated areas close to Kyiv) that differed in level of environmental radiation contamination. We discovered four strains of hepacivirus and four new virus sequences: two adeno-associated viruses, an arterivirus, and a mosavirus. However, viral prevalence and viral load, and the ability to cause a systemic infection, was not dependent on the level of environmental radiation.

CAR-BOREN SURVEY ON AMBIENT DOSE RATE DURING 2011–13 IN GUNMA PREFECTURE

2019 ◽  
Vol 184 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 347-350
Author(s):  
Masato Sugino
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Dose Rate ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Environmental Radiation ◽  
Safety Level ◽  
Contour Map ◽  
The Public ◽  
Fukushima Daiichi ◽  
Ambient Dose

Abstract A car-borne survey of air dose rate measurements was performed yearly from 2011 to 2013 to determine the levels of environmental radiation in Gunma prefecture after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in 2011. The results revealed that the average ambient doses in each year were 85.3 ± 34.1 nGy/h in 2011, 60.3 ± 19.9 nGy/h in 2012, and 43.5 ± 15.1 nGy/h in 2013. The ambient dose rate in 2011, which was about three times higher than the average of 27.0 ± 7.1 nGy/h in 1998, was still in safety level considering the public health, and the ambient dose rate subsequently decreased in 2013 to approximately half the 2011 level. A contour map of the ambient dose rate showed relatively higher levels in the northern and western parts of the prefecture, with relatively lower levels toward the eastern and southern parts.

scholarly journals Fluctuation Factors of Ambient Dose Rates in the Vicinity of Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant

RADIOISOTOPES ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 405-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideyuki YOSHIDA ◽  
Masahiro AIKA ◽  
Akio IKI ◽  
Yuko IBUKI ◽  
Rensuke GOTO
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Ambient Dose

scholarly journals A farmhouse son-in-law and radiation

2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 71-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Endo
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
External Support ◽  
Rice Farming ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Fukushima Daiichi ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ambient Dose

The residents of Suetsugi in Fukushima Prefecture measured ambient dose rates and radiocaesium concentrations in the soil after the accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in an attempt to maintain living conditions in the region. The measurements were colour plotted into maps to visualise the contamination. Through the receipt of external support, a number of radioactivity-related initiatives were implemented for the residents. Studies were also undertaken regarding the impact of radiocaesium contamination on rice farming in Suetsugi following the Great East Japan Earthquake and the accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Role of individual dosimetry for affected residents in postaccident recovery: the Fukushima experience

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 241-253
Author(s):  
W. Naito ◽  
M. Uesaka
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Radioactive Material ◽  
Time Activity ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Individual Dosimetry ◽  
Dose Measurements ◽  
Ambient Dose

The accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on 11 March 2011 released radioactive material into the atmosphere, and contaminated land in Fukushima and several neighbouring prefectures. During rehabilitation, it is important to accurately understand and determine individual external doses to allow individuals to make informed decisions about whether or not to return to the affected areas. Personal dosimeters (D-Shuttle), used together with a global positioning system and geographic information system device, can provide realistic individual external doses and associated individual external doses, ambient doses, and activity patterns of individuals in the affected areas of Fukushima. This study involved more than 250 affected residents. The results help to determine realistic individual external doses, and corresponding time–activity patterns and airborne monitoring ambient dose rates, which can be used to predict future cumulative external doses after residents return to their homes in evacuation areas. In addition, insights gained by the study can help to explain the role of individual external dose measurements for affected residents in postaccident recovery, based mainly upon the experience gained in measuring, assessing, and communicating individual external doses.

scholarly journals Transition of Radioactive Cesium Deposition in Reproductive Organs of Free-Roaming Cats in Namie Town, Fukushima

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1772
Author(s):  
Yohei Fujishima ◽  
Yasushi Kino ◽  
Takumi Ono ◽  
Valerie Swee Ting Goh ◽  
Akifumi Nakata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
137Cs Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Radioactive Cesium ◽  
Felis Silvestris Catus ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Fdnpp Accident ◽  
Radioactivity Monitoring ◽  
Adult Cats ◽  
Ambient Dose

We investigated the internal contamination by radioactive cesium associated with the FDNPP accident, in the testes or uterus and ovaries of free-roaming cats (Felis silvestris catus), which were protected by volunteers in the Namie Town, Fukushima. A total of 253 samples (145 testes and 108 uterus and ovaries) obtained from adult cats and 15 fetuses from 3 pregnant female cats were measured. Free-roaming cats in Namie Town had a higher level of radioactive contamination in comparison to the control group in Tokyo, as the 134Cs + 137Cs activity concentration ranged from not detectable to 37,882 Bq kg−1 in adult cats. Furthermore, the radioactivity in the fetuses was almost comparable to those in their mother’s uterus and ovaries. The radioactivity was also different between several cats protected in the same location, and there was no significant correlation with ambient dose-rates and activity concentrations in soil. Moreover, radioactive cesium levels in cats decreased with each year. Therefore, it is likely that decontamination work in Namie Town and its surroundings could affect radioactive cesium accumulation, and thus possibly reduce the internal radiation exposure of wildlife living in contaminated areas. It is hence necessary to continue radioactivity monitoring efforts for the residents living in Namie Town.

Natural variation of ambient dose rate in the air of Izu-Oshima Island after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

2015 ◽  
Vol 168 (4) ◽  
pp. 561-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fumihiko Maedera ◽  
Kazumasa Inoue ◽  
Masato Sugino ◽  
Ryosuke Sano ◽  
Mai Furue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Dose Rate ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Natural Variation ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant Accident ◽  
Fukushima Daiichi ◽  
Ambient Dose

scholarly journals Export of <sup>134</sup>Cs and <sup>137</sup>Cs in the Fukushima river systems at heavy rains by Typhoon Roke in September 2011

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 2767-2790 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Nagao ◽  
M. Kanamori ◽  
S. Ochiai ◽  
S. Tomihara ◽  
K. Fukushi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Heavy Rain ◽  
Rain Event ◽  
Normal Flow ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Pulse Input ◽  
Heavy Rain Event ◽  
Coastal Marine ◽  
Rain Events ◽  
Heavy Rains

Abstract. Effects of a heavy rain event on radiocesium export were studied at stations on the Natsui River and the Same River in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan after Typhoon Roke during 21–22 September 2011, six months after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Radioactivity of 134Cs and 137Cs in river waters was 0.011–0.098 Bq L−1 at normal flow conditions during July–September in 2011, but it increased to 0.85 Bq L−1 in high flow conditions by heavy rains occurring with the typhoon. The particulate fractions of 134Cs and 137Cs were 21–56% in the normal flow condition, but were close to 100% after the typhoon. These results indicate that the pulse input of radiocesium associated with suspended particles from land to coastal ocean occurred by the heavy rain event. Export flux of 134Cs and 137Cs by the heavy rain accounts for 30–50% of annual radiocesium flux in 2011. Results show that rain events are one factor controlling the transport and dispersion of radiocesium in river watersheds and coastal marine environments.

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