Activity concentrations of environmental samples collected in Fukushima Prefecture immediately after the Fukushima nuclear accident

Sci Rep. 2013:3:2283. doi: 10.1038/srep02283.

Abstract

Radionuclide concentrations in environmental samples such as surface soils, plants and water were evaluated by high purity germanium detector measurements. The contribution rate of short half-life radionuclides such as (132)I to the exposure dose to residents was discussed from the measured values. The highest values of the (131)I/(137)Cs activity ratio ranged from 49 to 70 in the environmental samples collected at Iwaki City which is located to the south of the F1-NPS. On the other hand, the (132)I/(131)I activity ratio in the same environmental samples had the lowest values, ranging from 0.01 to 0.02. By assuming that the (132)I/(131)I activity ratio in the atmosphere was equal to the ratio in the environmental samples, the percent contribution to the thyroid equivalent dose by (132)I was estimated to be less than 2%. Moreover, the contribution to the thyroid exposure by (132)I might be negligible if (132)I contamination was restricted to Iwaki City.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis
  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive / chemistry
  • Environmental Monitoring*
  • Fukushima Nuclear Accident*
  • Half-Life
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes / analysis
  • Iodine Radioisotopes / chemistry
  • Japan
  • Radiation Monitoring*
  • Radioisotopes / analysis
  • Radioisotopes / chemistry
  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Radioisotopes
  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive