Nature - Independent studies map Fukushima radiation hot spots
In eastern Fukushima prefecture, caesium-137 concentrations exceeded the government limit of 2,500 becquerels per kilogram (Bq/kg), which the researchers say is enough to “severely impair” food production. In several neighbouring prefectures, levels exceeded 250 Bq/kg, enough to “partially impact” farming.PNAS - Assessment of individual radionuclide distributions from the Fukushima nuclear accident covering central-east Japan![]()
PNAS - Cesium-137 deposition and contamination of Japanese soils due to the Fukushima nuclear accident
One of the radionuclides released was caesium-137, which has a half-life of 30 years and poses a long-term health risk if absorbed by the soil in significant quantities.At the end of August, Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) released a map (see 'Directly comparing Fukushima to Chernobyl') showing caesium-137 concentrations in the soil from measurements at more than 2,000 locations in and around Fukushima. The map is helping the government to determine which areas can be returned to farming, which need their topsoil removed and which should be declared unfit for food production or even left uninhabited.Two studies have now used different methods to map the fallout over larger areas. One1, led by Teppei Yasunari of the Universities Space Research Association in Columbia, Maryland, maps caesium-137 concentrations throughout the nation.
In eastern Fukushima prefecture, caesium-137 concentrations exceeded the government limit of 2,500 becquerels per kilogram (Bq/kg), which the researchers say is enough to “severely impair” food production. In several neighbouring prefectures, levels exceeded 250 Bq/kg, enough to “partially impact” farming.PNAS - Assessment of individual radionuclide distributions from the Fukushima nuclear accident covering central-east Japan
A tremendous amount of radioactivity was discharged...
