SimplyInfo » Entries tagged with "soil"
Fukushima Soil Road Reuse Plan Ignores Significant Risks
The government plan would take any contaminated soil under the 8000 bq/kg hazardous waste limit and use it to build roads. Jiji calls this level “relatively low” but the levels of 5000-8000 bq/kg are anything but. One of the systemic problems with the radioactive contamination monitoring processes in Japan is that most standards and almost all of the monitoring is strictly for gamma radiation. This ignores any beta or alpha emitting radioactive contamination in the soil … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
Japanese Govt. To Reuse Fukushima Contaminated Soil
The Environment Ministry has announced they plan to “reuse” contaminated soil in public construction projects. Last week they announced that some contaminated materials and soil below 8000 bq/kg of contamination would be released from government oversight. The ministry has a business plan to reuse the contaminated soil. There is a vague mention of attempting some sort of decontamination on the soil but no clear play if this is even possible. Convincing the public and construction companies … Read entire article »
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The Tour Of Fukushima You Need To See
These amazing new photographs from Fukushima filmmaker and photographer Arkadiusz Podniesiński taken in the evacuation zone in 2015 tell a compelling story. His experiences and his accounting of the disaster give the reality of Fukushima without the typical spin found in most media accounts. He was able to see the decontamination efforts up close along with the massive stores of contaminated soil. The imagery shows the enormity of the cleanup. In the evacuation zone he visits Mr. … Read entire article »
Filed under: The Latest
Environment Ministry To Move Fukushima Soil Bags
The Environment Ministry has said they would move contaminated soil bags housed near rivers or alternatively “tie them with ropes” to try to prevent them from washing away in another flood. Not mentioned in the NHK report out today was why they were placed there in the first place. This article would not be possible without the extensive efforts of the SimplyInfo research team Join the conversation at chat.simplyinfo.org © 2011-2016 SimplyInfo.org, Fukuleaks.org All Rights Reserved Content cited, quoted … Read entire article »
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Japanese Govt. To Return Contaminated Soil Storage Land To Owners
Land borrowed in Minamisoma for storing bags of contaminated soil is going to be “returned” to the land owners it was leased from. The local government decided not to renew some land leases, hoping to move the bags to interim storage elsewhere. What is not mentioned is how contaminated these plots of land would now be after hosting contaminated storage for so long. Many of the bags were already past their life span and little … Read entire article »
Filed under: The Latest
Fukushima Contaminated Soil Bags Washed Away In Floods
NHK is reporting that bags on contaminated soil and debris in Iitate Village were washed away in the recent flooding. About 30 of the large holding bags washed into a river. They did not offer any reporting about other similar incidents. Activists and local residents have been documenting and complaining about contaminated soil placement for years. Many of these bags have been deposited in marsh land, low lying areas near rivers and even some on … Read entire article »
Filed under: The Latest
Fukushima Sea Soil Radiation Readings Released
Japan’s NRA has released a series of sea soil and sediment readings taken off the eastern coast of Japan. The readings cover the near shore areas of Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Chiba prefectures. The highest cesium readings were south of the nuclear plant site in Ibaraki prefecture, south of Iwaki City. High strontium 90 readings were found both north and south of the plant. These readings were higher than the ones directly offshore from the … Read entire article »
Filed under: The Latest
Citizen Activists Key To Understanding Fukushima Impact
People around Japan are still conducting efforts to understand their environment and to act as a 3rd party accuracy check on the official readings. Along with these, a number of twitter accounts now automatically publish radiation readings along with other information such as wind direction and speed. The government radiation monitoring stations have popped up everywhere in Japan since the disaster. A network of stations existed before the disaster and provided some of the early data … Read entire article »
Filed under: The Latest
New Independent Fukushima Food Contamination Results
People in Japan early on realized they needed to take things into their own hands if they wanted to know the conditions around them and what their risk factors were. Citizen labs have been set up in Japan to allow people to test their own food. These labs were modeled after the labs set up in Europe after Chernobyl. This has provided an independent confirmation against government testing and a more diverse set of readings. … Read entire article »
Filed under: The Latest, Uncategorized
Fukushima Evacuation Zone; Permanent Waste Facility, Some Compensated For Homes
The Japanese government has made a series of announcements about changes to policy related to the evacuation zone. This is a considerable change from the 2011 “You will be able to go home very soon”. Futaba, Okuma, Naraha and Tomioka will be partially set aside as storage facilities for nuclear waste. The government has set aside $200 billion USD to buy the land needed to house the waste. UPI characterized it as “the ultimate holding center for … Read entire article »
Filed under: The Latest
Canadian Embassy In Tokyo Radiation Readings – Source Material
A paper published in the Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry details the findings of soil samples taken in March and May of 2011. Some limited information can be gleaned from the study abstract. All of the following isotopes were found on the immediate testing on site: 131I, 132I, 134Cs, 137Cs, 136Cs, 132Te, 129mTe, 129Te, 140Ba and 140La They found 225 kBq/m2 in March and 25 kBq/m2 in the May sample. These are totals for a square meter so will appear larger than the kilogram readings people may be more familiar with. They estimate an ambient dose of 184 to 38 nGy/h (aka: 0.038 µGy/h ) While this is not extremely high for an ambient dose it does prove there was radiation in Tokyo, something the government tried to downplay or deny at the time. The study can be found here but is paywalled. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10967-012-2040-3#page-1 This article would not be possible without the extensive efforts … Read entire article »
Filed under: The Latest
Contamination Rampant In Miyagi Prefecture
Little attention has been played to Miyagi prefecture in relation to the nuclear disaster in Japan. It is well publicized that the area took a major hit from the Tsunami and much rebuilding will be needed. What has been less clear is the actual level of contamination from the nuclear accident. Reports from the prefecture government largely show low or no levels of contamination. SPEEDI records released this year show considerable radioactive plume and deposition over Miyagi prefecture around March 20th. http://radioactivity.mext.go.jp/ja/contents/5000/4813/24/1305748_0316_08.pdf Yet the official air readings in Miyagi prefecture show incredibly low levels of contamination. It has been mentioned that Miyagi prefecture’s monitoring equipment is 80m off the ground, we have not been able to confirm this claim but it could explain the difference between the air counts and what is actually being … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, The Latest
3,070 bq/m Of Stonium 90 In Soil In Okuma
3070 bq/m of stronium 90 in soil Okuma. Previous tests found 999 bq/m in Okuma so the levels are rising. 502 bq/m of stronium 90 was found in Futaba last year. These readings are considered due to the nuclear accident and not an indication of old contamination from bomb tests. This article would not be possible without the extensive efforts of the SimplyInfo research team Join the conversation at chat.simplyinfo.org © 2011-2016 SimplyInfo.org, Fukuleaks.org All Rights Reserved Content cited, quoted etc. from other sources is under the respective rights of that content owner. If you are viewing this page on any website other than www.simplyinfo.org (or www.fukuleaks.org) it may be plagiarized, please let us know. If you wish to reproduce any of our content in full or in more than a phrase or quote, please contact … Read entire article »
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Fukushima Soil Contamination Worse Than Previously Thought
A series of admissions have come out pointing to soil contamination problems worse than previously assumed. JAEA has stated that cesium contamination is now being found 30cm down into the soil. Early in the accident contamination was sitting at about 5cm deep. Weather conditions in Japan including extensive precipitation may have caused the drastic change. This is a considerable problem as it confounds decontamination efforts. Decontamination efforts have already proven mostly futile as areas either don’t clean up or the levels come back up as things move around the environment. This new revelation that contamination is sinking down further makes decontamination in the largely agricultural region likely impossible. MEXT has found extremely high cesium contamination in the mud at Horai Dam. The lake behind the dam was found to have 3,000,000 Bq/m2 of cesium 20cm down … Read entire article »
Filed under: The Latest
Radioactive Dirt? Dump It In The Sea!
A group of scientists have suggested taking the radioactive soil that is being collected in Japan and dump it in the Pacific. They said they would put it in containers first, as if that truly mattered much. It was pointed out that this would violate the London Convention on pollution. Former education minister Akito Arima, said, “The sea is common property of all humankind, and the key is whether fishermen and the general public will support the proposal.” The scientists failed to take into account what other countries might have to say about this. As the Pacific isn’t owned by any one country this idea would likely receive a very negative reception from other countries. The perception outside of Japan on the already massive dumping of radioactive material into the Pacific is … Read entire article »
Filed under: The Latest
More Hot Spots And Contaminated Products In Japan
Another hot spot was found, this one in suburban Tokyo. The ditch near an elementary school was found to have 2.153 microsieverts per hour when someone tested above the mud in the ditch. Bagged compost used at an agricultural school in Tochigi was found to have 74 times the legal limit of radioactive contamination. Tea harvested from plantations around Tokyo was tested for contamination, 29 of the 30 teas tested were over the limit for contamination. The tea was picked in May but not tested until October. The tea had not been put out for sale yet. This article would not be possible without the extensive efforts of the SimplyInfo research team Join the conversation at chat.simplyinfo.org © 2011-2016 SimplyInfo.org, Fukuleaks.org All Rights Reserved Content cited, quoted etc. from other sources is under the respective rights … Read entire article »
Filed under: Food/Water Contamination, The Latest
Citizen Finds 63,000 bq/kg On Roof In Yokohama
A citizen found these extremely high levels of radiation on the roof of his apartment building. After finding high air readings he sent in a soil sample at his own cost. An Asahi TV morning show did a spot on his findings then asked the concerning question “what about Tokyo”. This is the same area where another citizen found extremely high soil readings in a gutter. This article would not be possible without the extensive efforts of the SimplyInfo research team Join the conversation at chat.simplyinfo.org © 2011-2016 SimplyInfo.org, Fukuleaks.org All Rights Reserved Content cited, quoted etc. from other sources is under the respective rights of that content owner. If you are viewing this page on any website other than www.simplyinfo.org (or www.fukuleaks.org) it may be plagiarized, please let us know. If you wish to reproduce … Read entire article »
Filed under: Citizen Reporting, The Latest
High Levels Of Contamination Found Outside Evacuation Zone
MEXT has released more contamination level data that shows considerably high levels outside the 20km evacuation zone, mostly concentrated in a north west path. As data has been coming out recently the north west path has shown to have taken considerable fallout over the last six months. There were also soil samples taken, these showed levels outside the evacuation zone in 66 locations exceeded the evacuation threshold used in Chernobyl. Okuma is 30km from the plant and showed millions of becquerels on the soil sample tests. Namie and Iitate were showing high levels on the MEXT sampling information, both are outside the evacuation zone. Some of this area to the north and west had been evacuated, but there are still people in this northwest stretch that the government has not done anything … Read entire article »
Filed under: Current Readings, METI, MEXT, Reporting Agencies, Sea/Soil Contamination
Fukushima Fallout Found In California Soil
The University of Berkeley has found cesium concentrations in the soil near Sacramento, CA. Test samples conducted in mid August showed detectable levels of cesium 134 and 137. Complete results found here: http://www.nuc.berkeley.edu/node/2525#soilSacramento This article would not be possible without the extensive efforts of the SimplyInfo research team Join the conversation at chat.simplyinfo.org © 2011-2016 SimplyInfo.org, Fukuleaks.org All Rights Reserved Content cited, quoted etc. from other sources is under the respective rights of that content owner. If you are viewing this page on any website other than www.simplyinfo.org (or www.fukuleaks.org) it may be plagiarized, please let us know. If you wish to reproduce any of our content in full or in more than a phrase or quote, please contact us first to obtain permission. … Read entire article »
Filed under: US Nuclear News, Worldwide Exposure
Radiation Survey Maps Of Fukushima In Multiple Formats
This useful website by the Research Center For Nuclear Physics at Osaka University has compiled maps of the Fukushima soil survey into a variety of formats. Maps are available for computer, smartphone and tablet friendly formats. There is a Google Earth map, a Google Maps map and also PDF and JPG formats. This article would not be possible without the extensive efforts of the SimplyInfo research team Join the conversation at chat.simplyinfo.org © 2011-2016 SimplyInfo.org, Fukuleaks.org All Rights Reserved Content cited, quoted etc. from other sources is under the respective rights of that content owner. If you are viewing this page on any website other than www.simplyinfo.org (or www.fukuleaks.org) it may be plagiarized, please let us know. If you wish to reproduce any of our content in full or in more than a phrase … Read entire article »
Filed under: Current Readings, Protect Yourself, The Latest
Radiation Everywhere
New reports were everywhere in the past 24 hours of radiation being found or information finally being released. These are some of the stories we found. Radiation found in 15 prefectures http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201108298154 Cesium found 100km from plant with map http://www.asahi.com/special/10005/TKY201108290502.html Contamination in parts of the exclusion zone far higher than Chernobyl levels http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/2011/08/soil-contamination-in-34-locations-in.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter Workers received high beta radiation doses while changing water filters http://mainichi.jp/select/weathernews/news/20110830ddm002040102000c.html Contamination in areas higher that IAEA evacuation levels http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20110829/t10015231101000.html Residents in the region should have taken protective iodine http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201108298140 More on the iodine incidents http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0827/TKY201108270350.html This article would not be possible without the extensive efforts of the SimplyInfo research team Join the conversation at chat.simplyinfo.org © 2011-2016 SimplyInfo.org, Fukuleaks.org All Rights Reserved Content cited, quoted etc. from other sources is under the respective rights of that content owner. If you are viewing this page on any website other than www.simplyinfo.org (or www.fukuleaks.org) … Read entire article »
Filed under: Radiation Exposure, Sea/Soil Contamination, The Latest
New Contamination Found In Food and Environment
Contaminated pool water in Fukushima schools is creating yet another problem to solve. Some school pools were found to have contamination in the water. But what to do with the water? Trying to decontaminate the water is a challenge and they can’t drain out the water into fields, streams or storm drains that drain into the water ways or environment. That would just move the contamination around and cause a new problem. This article would not be possible without the extensive efforts of the SimplyInfo research team Join the conversation at chat.simplyinfo.org © 2011-2016 SimplyInfo.org, Fukuleaks.org All Rights Reserved Content cited, quoted etc. from other sources is under the respective rights of that content owner. If you are viewing this page on any website other than www.simplyinfo.org (or www.fukuleaks.org) it may be plagiarized, please … Read entire article »
Filed under: Food/Water Contamination, Radiation Exposure, Sea/Soil Contamination, The Latest
High Cesium Found In Soil In Kashiwa Near Tokyo
Member Asuperdry, took matters to hand and had local soil from Kashiwa tested. 23,663 bq/kg cesium 134 was found and 28,884 bq/kg cesium 137 were found in the sample. Asuperdry has also been taking radiation readings with a detector around Kashiwa. A recent finding at a local playground was 6.46µSv/h. Children were still being allowed to play there. These readings are put up at YouTube videos to document the findings. As more citizens start taking readings themselves it is becoming apparent that the problem is not just in Fukushima prefecture but is far more widespread. This article would not be possible without the extensive efforts of the SimplyInfo research team Join the conversation at chat.simplyinfo.org © 2011-2016 SimplyInfo.org, Fukuleaks.org All Rights Reserved Content cited, quoted etc. from other sources is under the respective rights of that content owner. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Citizen Reporting, Monitoring Results, Radiation Exposure, The Latest
The incineration of rubble OK’d amid radiation risk
The Japan Times reports The incineration of rubble OK’d amid radiation risk June 7, 2011 “The Environment Ministry plans to allow rubble from the March 11 disasters in coastal and central parts of Fukushima Prefecture to be incinerated or buried, raising the risk of radioactive contamination, officials said Sunday. While the ministry already allows 10 municipalities where contamination levels from the prefecture’s stricken nuclear plant are low enough to handle debris under normal procedures, it has decided to expand the eased limits to other parts of the prefecture outside the nuclear no-go zone and evacuation areas. The move is aimed at speeding up rubble removal in Fukushima Prefecture, but authorities are required to handle it with care, including by decontaminating and managing it properly, the officials said. The ministry plans to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Japan Exposure, Japan Impact, Monitoring Results, Sea/Soil Contamination
Plutonium Found in Soil at Okuma
From a The Japan Times report: “Plutonium that is believed to have come from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 power plant has been detected in the town of Okuma about 1.7 km away from the plant’s front gate… By analyzing the ratio of three types of isotopes in the plutonium, Yamamoto was able to determine that it was emitted by Fukushima No. 1 and not past bomb tests.” This article would not be possible without the extensive efforts of the SimplyInfo research team Join the conversation at chat.simplyinfo.org © 2011-2016 SimplyInfo.org, Fukuleaks.org All Rights Reserved Content cited, quoted etc. from other sources is under the respective rights of that content owner. If you are viewing this page on any website other than www.simplyinfo.org (or www.fukuleaks.org) it may be plagiarized, please let us know. If you wish … Read entire article »
Filed under: Fukushima and Japan, Fukushima Area Impact, Japan Exposure, Japan Impact, Monitoring Results, Radiation Exposure, Sea/Soil Contamination, The Latest
