Establishment of “Citizen’s Radioactivity Measuring Station (Radioactivity Measuring Station Laboratory) by the Yokohama City Residents Volunteer Group
Description
Since the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in March, 2011, there have been many reports indicating serious radiation contamination in Yokohama. There is concern about possible contamination of Radioactive Iodine and Cesium especially in food products. It was pointed out by the research institutions that continued consumption of these tainted food could possibly cause heath problems 10 to 20 years in the future. Children are known to be affected far more seriously than the adults. This is the reason why it has become essential to be able to measure the amount of radioactive materials existent in food products.
The national and local government’s food radiation measuring projects are “rough sample testing” which do not cover most of the food products ending up in the market. For example, beef which eluded these sample testing was actually distributed in the market and ended up in children’s schools lunches. Also, since the national provisional safety limit established after the accident by the Japanese government has not been revised and still remains high, safety is not ensured for food products distributed in Japan.
Because of limited resources, it is not realistic for the national and local government to test every food products. Citizens would need to have their own measuring instruments and conduct the necessary testing themselves. Until last September, our predecessor organization, “Protecting Children of Yokohama from Radiation”, conducted many campaigns to collect signatures and sent requests to our local government hoping they would start to adequately deal with the radiation problem. Small improvements has been seen in the Yokohama government, however, we have come to realize that from now on our energy should be focused in taking actual steps independently from the government to ensure safety from radiation in food products.
Interested Yokohama citizens got together and successfully raised enough money to purchase the radiation measurement instruments which will arrive at the end of January. At this moment, we are preparing for the opening of this measurement lab. The progress report, funds and recruitment information are going to be updated regularly at our homepage and Facebook account. Your interest and support are greatly appreciated.
Instruments Purchased
ATOMTEX AT1320A (made in Belarus)
approx. 1,300,000 yen
Detection Limit
3.7Bq/kg (Screening system for radiation
Detection Time
approx. two to three hours
Location of the Measurement Stations
1.
Champool (Natural Food Store) in Higashirinkan, Sagamihara-shi
2.
Isogo, Isogo-ku, Yokohama-shi (13 minutes walk from Isogo Station)
In the future, we hope to open more radiation measurement stations within the city of Yokohama. We welcome those who are interested in giving us support by offering a space for measuring stations free of charge for certain periods of time. Your contact will be greatly appreciated.
Objects to be Measured
Food Products (In stores in Yokohama and home grown products)
Breast milk and urine are not going to be included in the objects to be measured at this time. In case of soil samples, after the safety of the member of the lab is ensured by pre-screening at the Higashirinkan measurement station, it may be possible to be tested by the ATOMTEX. Please contact us for more details. Also, for testing of home grown products, kindly consult with us in advance.
