[LINK] Radiation

[Andy Farkas]

Update on radiation levels from Fukushima:


<quote>
Recent radiation levels measured at the boundary of the Fukushima
Daiichi plant have been dropping steadily over the past 12 hours,
Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said

At 4 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, a radiation level of 75 millirem per
hour was recorded at the plant’s main gate. At 4 p.m. EDT, the
reading at one plant site gate was 34 millirem per hour. By
comparison, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s annual radiation
dose limit for the public is 100 millirem.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yukio Edano, said earlier today
a radiation level of 33 millirem per hour was measured about 20
kilometers from the Fukushima Daiichi plant earlier this morning.
He said that level does not pose an immediate health risk.
</quote>

http://mitnse.com/2011/03/17/helicopters-dropping-water-on-affected-reactors/



<quote>
17 people (9 TEPCO employees, 8 subcontractor employees) suffered
from deposition of radioactive material to their faces, but were
not taken to the hospital because of low levels of exposure.

One worker suffered from significant exposure during 'vent work,'
and was transported to an offsite center.

2 policemen who were exposed to radiation were decontaminated.
</quote>

http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/tsunamiupdate01.html



<quote>
If radioactive gases are released into the atmosphere in Japan,
they could blow across the Pacific. In Japan, the prevailing winds
blow west-to-east, carrying emissions out over the ocean. As this
happens, it will disperse and become quite diffuse.

According to Health Canada, “Given current wind patterns, it would
take several days for any radioactive material to reach Canada.
Based on the information available, it is anticipated that the
amount of radiation reaching Canada, if any, would be negligible
and not pose a health risk to Canadians.
</quote>

http://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2011/03/17/smc-backgrounder-on-radiation/



-andyf