Chieko Shiina, a farmer who lives in Fukushima Prefecture, is still gambling with his future. His Japanese-style inn has been closed after a Nuclear Power Plant Fukushima Daichi leak caused by the earthquake and tsunami, last March.
He was convinced to leave his homeland is the best choice because it is free from the total radiation exposure. But the 65-year-old man did not know where to move. "I tried what I believe is best, because I no longer trust the government," he said last week.
Shiina now come with its neighbors by switching to a traditional Japanese diet. They eat brown rice, pickles, miso soup from which is believed to increase the immune system. It's nothing, residents worried about radiation contaminating foodstuffs, such as beef, mushrooms, or green tea.
Concerns were now justified. Last Thursday. Japanese Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura ordered Fukushima Governor Yuhei Sato prohibit shipments of rice from Onami to another area. Onami is located 57 kilometers northwest of NPP Fukushima Daichi.
He was convinced to leave his homeland is the best choice because it is free from the total radiation exposure. But the 65-year-old man did not know where to move. "I tried what I believe is best, because I no longer trust the government," he said last week.
Shiina now come with its neighbors by switching to a traditional Japanese diet. They eat brown rice, pickles, miso soup from which is believed to increase the immune system. It's nothing, residents worried about radiation contaminating foodstuffs, such as beef, mushrooms, or green tea.
Concerns were now justified. Last Thursday. Japanese Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura ordered Fukushima Governor Yuhei Sato prohibit shipments of rice from Onami to another area. Onami is located 57 kilometers northwest of NPP Fukushima Daichi.
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| Distribution of radioactive Caesium-137 in soil. (Picture from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/) |
Apparently rice in Onami containing caesium-137 radioactive substances as much as 630 becguerel per kilogram, this value exceeds the maximum safe limit of 500 becguerel.
Fortunately, 840 kilograms of rice from Onami has not been sent to other regions. Osamu Fujimura insisted that the ban not be lifted until authorities declare the food safety of the rice fields and surrounding Onami safe for consumption.
This prohibition does refer to a study by a team of international researchers. Understandably, previous studies mentioned radiation levels on agricultural products are under the limit of safe human consumption. Research conducted by foreign scientists were presented in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published last week.
To estimate the level of contamination, Teppei Yasunari (from the Universities Space Research Association in Maryland, USA) and his team perform all the measurements of the radioactive element caesium-137 from the soil and grass in 47 regions. They also perform a simulation based on weather patterns.
Of the sample, it turns out levels of caesium-137 in eastern Fukushima eight times higher than the safe limit. In the western region is relatively lower levels of pollution due to shielded by mountains. While in the surrounding area is still within safe limits.
The researchers created a category of food products are "severely affected" For the immediate contaminated area. While the neighboring prefecture of Fukushima, such as Iwate, Miyagi, Yamagata, Niigata, Tochigi, Ibaraki, and Chiba, categorized as "affected".
They urged the Japanese government in order, do a more thorough assessment of radioactive contamination in Japan. This step is necessary before the government is considering a plan of decontamination in the future.
The second study published in the same issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences collected more than a hundred samples of soil from the area within a radius of 70 km from the reactor Fukushima. They found levels of caesium-137 with the same high level in Fukushima Prefecture and neighboring areas.
Radiologists Nick Beresford, of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Lancaster, England, said caesium-137 of more attention than other radioactive elements. "Because existence can last up to several tens of years," he said.
In organic soil, radioactive elements can last much longer. This substance, said Beresford, will be bound with other mineral components and inhibits the absorption of nutrients in plants.
To reduce the plants absorb harmful elements, can be done tillage and fertilization. What about contaminated grass and fodder during this so? Beresford suggested the use of binding agents in animal feed to reduce the absorption of harmful substances by the intestine pets. *** [UNTUNG WIDYANTO | BBC | GUARDIAN | JAPANTODAY | KORAN TEMPO 3714]
Measuring Radiation Gadgets
The Japanese government has lifted a ban on people occupying homes in Fukushima Prefecture. "But last summer I lived in Hokkaido," said Yuka Saito, mother of four children. Now he returned to his home.
There is a feeling of anxiety due to this condition. Her children are aged 6 to 15 years old must wear a mask, long sleeve shirts, and hats every time out.
He forbade the house to drink tap water. In addition, he kept a diary of radiation monitors for their children. We are citizens of Fukushima, he said, should do their best to overcome this problem. "We can not stay forever in the house."
Fukushima Prefectural Government has distributed radiation monitoring devices to 280 thousand children in elementary and junior high school. Children are only allowed to play outdoors for two or three hours a day. The school has lifted the top layer of soil in the playground to reduce radiation dose. Ministry of Education also provides a handbook for teachers to prevent radiation.
Fortunately, 840 kilograms of rice from Onami has not been sent to other regions. Osamu Fujimura insisted that the ban not be lifted until authorities declare the food safety of the rice fields and surrounding Onami safe for consumption.
This prohibition does refer to a study by a team of international researchers. Understandably, previous studies mentioned radiation levels on agricultural products are under the limit of safe human consumption. Research conducted by foreign scientists were presented in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published last week.
To estimate the level of contamination, Teppei Yasunari (from the Universities Space Research Association in Maryland, USA) and his team perform all the measurements of the radioactive element caesium-137 from the soil and grass in 47 regions. They also perform a simulation based on weather patterns.
Of the sample, it turns out levels of caesium-137 in eastern Fukushima eight times higher than the safe limit. In the western region is relatively lower levels of pollution due to shielded by mountains. While in the surrounding area is still within safe limits.
The researchers created a category of food products are "severely affected" For the immediate contaminated area. While the neighboring prefecture of Fukushima, such as Iwate, Miyagi, Yamagata, Niigata, Tochigi, Ibaraki, and Chiba, categorized as "affected".
They urged the Japanese government in order, do a more thorough assessment of radioactive contamination in Japan. This step is necessary before the government is considering a plan of decontamination in the future.
The second study published in the same issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences collected more than a hundred samples of soil from the area within a radius of 70 km from the reactor Fukushima. They found levels of caesium-137 with the same high level in Fukushima Prefecture and neighboring areas.
Radiologists Nick Beresford, of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Lancaster, England, said caesium-137 of more attention than other radioactive elements. "Because existence can last up to several tens of years," he said.
In organic soil, radioactive elements can last much longer. This substance, said Beresford, will be bound with other mineral components and inhibits the absorption of nutrients in plants.
To reduce the plants absorb harmful elements, can be done tillage and fertilization. What about contaminated grass and fodder during this so? Beresford suggested the use of binding agents in animal feed to reduce the absorption of harmful substances by the intestine pets. *** [UNTUNG WIDYANTO | BBC | GUARDIAN | JAPANTODAY | KORAN TEMPO 3714]
Measuring Radiation Gadgets
The Japanese government has lifted a ban on people occupying homes in Fukushima Prefecture. "But last summer I lived in Hokkaido," said Yuka Saito, mother of four children. Now he returned to his home.
There is a feeling of anxiety due to this condition. Her children are aged 6 to 15 years old must wear a mask, long sleeve shirts, and hats every time out.
He forbade the house to drink tap water. In addition, he kept a diary of radiation monitors for their children. We are citizens of Fukushima, he said, should do their best to overcome this problem. "We can not stay forever in the house."
Fukushima Prefectural Government has distributed radiation monitoring devices to 280 thousand children in elementary and junior high school. Children are only allowed to play outdoors for two or three hours a day. The school has lifted the top layer of soil in the playground to reduce radiation dose. Ministry of Education also provides a handbook for teachers to prevent radiation.
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| Geiger counter. (Picture from: http://hacknmod.com/) |
Many parents in Fukushima, some even in Tokyo, took Geiger counters to measure radiation levels in their environment daily. This device became one of the most popular gadgets in all of Japan. The rental business is also starting to bloom. *** [UWD | KORAN TEMPO 3714]
