Data from measurement of environmental radiation levels (Aizu Wakamatsu City measurements)

Data from measurments performed in 8 locations in Aizu Wakamatsu City

Since April 26th, 2011, Aizu Wakamatsu City has been measuring environmental radiation in 8 locations around the city once a week in order to make sure that our city is safe.
Results of the measurements follow below.
In addition, the city changed radiation measurement instruments to more accurate instruments (Aloka TCS-172B) on November 15th. Consequently, the readings of the environmental radiation levels that were monitored after November 15th are slightly higher than before. However, the new figures continue to indicate that the radiation levels will have no effect on people’s health.

Date	February 8th	February 14ｔh	February 21st
Time	8:55-16:00	8:50-13:50	8:45-13:50
Weather	Cloudy/Snow	Cloudy/Sunny	Cloudy/Snow
Wind Speed	Calm～Strong	Calm～Soft	Calm～Medium
Inawashiro Lake Sakka Beach	0.09	0.06	0.07
Kawahigashi-machi Takatsuka	0.13	0.12	0.13
Iimoriyama Municipal Car park	0.09	0.06	0.08
Higashiyama spa Munical Car park	0.08	0.08	0.07
Turugajou Nishidemaru Car park	0.13	0.10	0.13
Nanoka-machi Public square	0.09	0.08	0.09
Kitaaizu-machi Hotarunomori Park	0.07	0.07	0.07
Ashinomaki spa Bus stop	0.05	0.05	0.05

• Data from measurments performed in 8 locations (PDF 56.9KB)

Data from measurments performed in 26 locations

In addition to the 8 locations listed above, Aizu Wakamatsu City has been measuring environmental radiation once per month in an additional 18 locations, for a total of 26 locations, since May.
Please refer to the reports in locations closest to where you live as radiation levels in the surrounding areas are nearly the same.

• Data from measurments performed in 26 locations (PDF 56.4KB)
• Monitoring location (26 locations) (PDF 2.6MB)

About radiation in Aizu Wakamatsu City

The environmental radiation monitoring station at the Aizu Branch of the Prefectural Government Office recorded the highest level of radiation on March 16, but the levels have been continuously falling from that point, and there have been no significant increases since that time.
During the most recent monitoring, there have been no increases in the amount of radiation monitored, regardless of rain or changes in wind direction.
It is thought that during the rain on the night of March 15th, 2011 into the early morning of the 16th, radioactive materials that were apparent in the atmosphere in the forms of gas and dust were brought to the ground by the rain.
It is also thought that the environmental radiation that we have detected has come from the radioactive materials that fell to the ground that night, and that no new materials have been released into the air or have remained in the air since that time.

At present, there are high radiation levels at some of the rain gutters and gutters in the city. However, 1 meter or more away from those places, radiation levels are nearly the same level as the rest of the environmental radiation in that area. It is thought that the effects on us in our daily lives are little.

Looking at the recent readings of radiation levels and comparing the levels with the radiation levels measured in April in the same places, one can see that the radiation levels are steadily falling. Accordingly, we expect that the radiation levels will continue to decrease little by little.

Assessment by the Aizu Wakamatsu City Radiation Management Advisor

The city is receiving counsel regarding how to deal with radiation from a variety of perspectives from Aizu Wakamatsu City Radiation Management Advisor Dr. Michikuni SHIMO (Expert advisor for the Expert Committee on Radiation Protection of the Nuclear Safety Commission, Guest Professor of Fujita Health University)

Assessment by the Aizu Wakamatsu City Radiation Management Advisor Dr. SHIMO follows below.
"In areas around the world with high levels of natural radiation, there are certain locations where radiation levels exceed 1 microseivert per hour (1 μSv/h). However, there are no reports of any negative effects on the health of the people who live in those areas.
Although radiation levels in Aizu Wakamatsu vary widely in value, it is thought that there is no effect on health for people living in any of the areas in Aizu Wakamatsu."

Environmental radiation measurement methodology

The city has been monitoring environmental radiation as described in the synopsis below.
・We are using NaI Scintillation counter type survey meters.
・Measurements are being taken in areas away from building and cars.
・While avoiding areas where water has collected, measurements are being taken in roughly the same areas each time.
・Measurements are being taken 1 m above the ground (Except for ground measurements).
・At each location, measurements are taken 5 times at 10 second intervals and the average values are calculated.

Data management and measurement methods are based on the guidance of the Aizu Wakamatsu City Radiation Management Advisor Dr. Michikuni SHIMO.

The measurements have been carried out in much the same way as Fukushima Prefecture has been carrying out their measurements, and from November 15th, the measurement instruments being used by the city are similar to the instruments being used by Fukushima Prefecture.

Contact Information

• Kankyo Seikatsu-ka (Environment and Community Services Division of Aizu-Wakamatsu City Hall)
• TEL:[ 0242-39-1221 ] (Japanese Only)
• FAX:[ 0242-39-1420 ]
• Email: Kankyo Seikatsu-ka

• Kikaku Chosei-ka (Planning and Coordination Division of Aizu-Wakamatsu City Hall)
• TEL:[ 0242-39-1201 ]
• FAX:[ 0242-39-1400 ]
• Email: Kikaku Chosei-ka

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