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Fukushima Radiation FAQ
Environment 5

Fukushima Radiation FAQ

By Ben · On February 12, 2014

Fukushima Radiation FAQFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ) addressing how the Fukushima nuclear meltdown in Japan is affecting the health and safety of those living along the Eastern Pacific (West Coast of the US and Canada). Originally published by Surfrider Foundation, written by Rick Wilson and Chad Nelson.


1. Is Surfrider tracking concerns that radiation from Fukushima is affecting the West Coast?

Yes. We are carefully following the results of scientific studies that are being conducted to evaluate the potential spread of radiation from Fukushima to the Pacific Coast via air, water and marine life. We have summarized these issues and have provided links to further information in our Beachapedia article Radiation From Fukushima. We are updating this article constantly. www.beachapedia.org

2. Is the news out there regarding Fukushima correct and accurate?

There are a lot of conflicting reports in the news and on various websites and blogs. There have been many sensationalist reports that are not supported by scientific data and studies. Again, we’ve summarized the latest verifiable data and reports in our Beachapedia article, which also contains links to responses to some of the blogs and news reports that have raised concerns. An example is this article written by a Surfrider Foundation staff scientist that was published in The Inertia. www.theinertia.com

3. Is it safe along the Pacific coast?

Depending on where you are and the conditions on any particular day, recreating near and in the ocean involves many inherent dangers, including dangerous waves, rip currents, water polluted by sewage or storm runoff, stingrays, jellyfish and sharks. However, scientific data collected to date does not indicate a cause for concern with regard to concentrations of Fukushima-derived radiation in air, seawater or seafood along the Pacific Coast. Concentrations of Cesium -137 in the North Pacific Ocean were actually at least 10 times higher in the 1960s (a result of atomic bomb tests in the 1950s and 60s) than concentrations measured in January 2014 along the Pacific Coast.

4. Where can I find reliable information on the potential affects of radiation along the Pacific coast?

Refer to our Beachapedia article and the links/references in that article.

6. Are you testing/checking for radiation?

Although accurately testing for low levels of radioactivity in air, water or seafood is beyond technical and financial capabilities of Surfrider Foundation, we are closely following the results of scientists who are conducting such testing.

We also encourage groups and individuals who are interested in collecting seawater samples for testing to participate in a crowdsourced radiation monitoring program being conducted by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. See ourradioactiveocean.com

7. What is Surfrider’s position regarding Fukushima?

The Surfrider Foundation US does not have a formal position on Fukushima itself. For issues in Japan we defer to our affiliate Surfrider Japan. That said, it’s clear that the impact of the earthquake and associated tsunami are a cautionary tale about building any industrial facility and especially nuclear facilities close to the shore where they can be impacted by geologic hazards, tsunamis, strong storms and rising sea level. We believe that any large industrial facility that could pose threats to human health or the environment should be set back far from the ocean and carefully planned with these risks taken into account.

Here’s another good FAQ from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

www.surfrider.org

Illustration by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Illustration by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

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Ben

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5 Comments

  • Hiroshi Suzuki says: February 12, 2014 at 7:58 pm

    Tokyo Electric Admits Withholding Stronitum 90 Readings
    February 11th, 2014 Fukushima – SimplyInfo

    Tokyo Electric has admitted Tokyo Electric knew about the extremely high strontium 90 readings and the issues with Tokyo Electric testing equipment back in July 2013 but did NOT make any of this information public.
    The timing makes the issue even more suspect since the bid for the Olympics was being decided about the same time.

    Tokyo Electric knew of the record high 5 million bq/liter strontium 90 reading in July 2013 but decided it was “inaccurate” and chose NOT to disclose it. Tokyo Electric has had a track record of declaring inconveniently high readings to be inaccurate before. Tokyo Electric did so on an early scope inspection of unit 1′s torus room where Tokyo Electric released the reading but insisted the meter failed.

    Tokyo Electric earlier explanation for the strontium 90 readings being wrong was that Tokyo Electric did NOT know the readings were wrong and gave lower levels to the public. Now Tokyo Electric admits Tokyo Electric knew about the error and what the correct readings were the entire time.

    Reply
  • Rocky Neidhardt says: February 14, 2014 at 7:17 am

    Take a Stand against TEPCO!

    Reply
  • K says: February 14, 2014 at 11:09 am

    However you turn it, this sucks :/

    Reply
  • Michael Faust says: February 15, 2014 at 3:30 am

    Rad levels will reach 47 to 530 Bq/CF in the pacific

    Reply
  • jeff bockhurst says: March 4, 2014 at 1:09 pm

    we will all die

    Reply
  • Leave a reply Cancel reply

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