#Fukushima Prefecture Installs Fixed Radiation Monitoring Posts, Radiation Levels Drop by Half

Talk about retarded. Fukushima Prefecture replaces portable radiation monitoring posts with fixed ones on April Fool's Day, and one of the local newspaper dutifully reports the results of the new measurement.

Surprise! Radiation levels dropped by half, using the fixed monitoring posts! The radiation level in Koriyama City went from 0.51 microsievert/hour on March 31 to 0.26 on April 1!

Even the Fukushima local residents thought the numbers were suspicious. It turns out that the fixed monitoring posts were installed at locations that had been just "decontaminated", and the measuring unit was changed from sievert to gray.

First, the local newspaper Fukushima Minyu on April 2, 2013, whose article gives an impression that it was because of the "portable" (temporary) nature of the monitoring posts that were giving elevated radiation numbers, with no mention of decontamination or change of measuring unit:

主要定点「モニタリングポスト」、６方部を固定型に

Major "monitoring posts" in 6 regions replaced to fixed type

県は１日、主要定点の放射線量として県内７方部に設置したモニタリングポストのうち、６方部のポストを持ち運びができる可搬型から固定型に取り換えた。

On April 1, the prefectural government replaced the portable radiation monitoring posts in 6 regions out of 7 regions in the prefecture with the fixed ones.

この結果、各地の空間放射線量の測定値は、郡山が交換前（３月３１日）の毎時０．５１マイクロシーベルトから０．２７マイクロシーベルト、南相馬は毎時０．３マイクロシーベルトから０．１４マイクロシーベルトにほぼ半減するなど全体的に下がった。

As the result, the air radiation levels measured in these 6 regions generally dropped lower. In some cities the radiation dropped almost by half; the radiation level in Koriyama City went from 0.51 microsievert/hour on March 31 before the replacement to 0.27 microsievert/hour, and the radiation level in Minamisoma City went from 0.3 microsievert/hour to 0.14 microsievert/hour.

特に数値が下がった郡山はポストの位置を約８０メートル、南相馬は約４５メートル移した。県は設置場所を固定するため電源の位置や施設の利用に支障が出ない場所、県民の目に触れやすい道路近くを選んだとしている。

Koriyama City, which saw the radiation level drop significantly, moved the location of the monitoring post by 80 meters [from the original location]. Minamisoma City also moved the location by 45 meters. According to the prefectural government, the new locations were selected so that the power supply for the monitoring posts was secure and that the access to public facilities wouldn't be hindered. The new locations are also close to the roads so that the monitoring posts can be easily seen by residents.

Residents, many of whom have been using their personal survey meters since the accident, are skeptical. FNN Local News reported on April 2, 2013 that radiation levels as measured in Koriyama City got significantly lower in one day. Its reporter spoke with the government official, and found out that, in addition to installing the fixed monitoring posts in locations that just got decontaminated, they also changed the unit of measurement from microsievert/hour to microgray/hour, shaving off 20% in numbers:

福島県は、ウェブサイトで、県内7カ所の空間放射線量を公開している。県中地区の放射­線量を3月26日から示したグラフでは、午後3時の値を見ると、およそ0.5マイクロ­シーベルト(μSv)で推移していたが、1日から0.27と、およそ半分になった。こ­の変化をめぐって、県に問い合わせが相次いでいる。

Fukushima Prefecture publishes the air radiation levels in 7 locations inside the prefecture on its website. The chart that plots the radiation level in Mid Prefecture District from March 26 shows 0.5 microsievert/hour at 3PM, until April 1, when it dropped by half to 0.27. Many residents are asking the prefectural government about this change.

福島県が県中地区として公表している放射線量を測定しているのは、郡山市麓山(はやま­)にある郡山合同庁舎。

Fukushima Prefecture measures the radiation level for Mid Prefecture District at Koriyama Common Government Building in Hayama district of Koriyama City.

郡山市の空間放射線量の値として、これまで公表されていたのが、可搬型のモニタリング­ポストで計測されたもので、手元の線量計で確認すると、毎時0.4マイクロシーベルト­を超えていた。

The air radiation level of Koriyama City as published [by the prefectural government] had been measured by a portable monitoring post [before April 1]. When we checked with our survey meter, the radiation level was over 0.4 microsievert/hour.

3月31日までは、この可搬型モニタリングポストの数値が、県中地区の放射線量として­公表されてきた。

Up until March 31 this year, the number at this portable monitoring post was published as the radiation level for Mid Prefecture District.

しかし1日からは、およそ80メートル離れた場所に設置された固定型モニタリングポス­トの数値が公表されている。

However, starting April 1, the number at the fixed monitoring post installed at a location 80 meters away from the portable monitoring post has been used.

県中振興局の鈴木 仁副部長は「(低くなっている一番の理由は?)これは、舗装面で風がずいぶん当たって­いた場所だし、せっかくの施設(設備)なので、設置する前に、ここの一角だけは除染し­た」と話した。

(When we asked what contributed most to the lower number,) Hitoshi Suzuki, Deputy General Manager of Mid Prefecture District Development Bureau, said "This location [new location] is on a paved surface exposed to wind. Since we were installing brand-new monitoring post, we decontaminated the corner on which the monitoring post was to be installed."

固定型モニタリングポストが設置されたのは、すでに除染が行われた場所だった。

So, the fixed monitoring post was installed on a spot that had been decontaminated.

また、鈴木副部長は「物理量として測っているのはグレイ、人体に与える影響に換算した­のがシーベルトです。(より低く出るのは、グレイで測っているから?)そうですね。そ­の差っていうのも、今回は出ている。シーベルトからグレイになったっていうことで」と­話した。

Mr. Suzuki also said, "Gray measures physical quantity of radiation, and sievert measures the effect of radiation on human bodies". (We asked, "Is the lower number from measuring in gray?") "Well, that difference is shown this time, [with measuring unit going from] sievert to gray."

発表する単位を変更したことも、要因の1つだという。これまで、「マイクロシーベルト」だった単位を、1日から「マイクログレイ」に変更し­たことで、数字上は20%低くなる計算。

So, changing the unit in which the number is published has contributed to the lower number. By changing from "microsievert" to "microgray" starting April 1, the number is estimated to get lower by 20%.

鈴木副部長は「市民・県民に目立つ場所に置いて、長らく使う施設になるだろうし。庁舎­の敷地の中で、一番いい場所かなと思って、考えて決めた」と話した。

Mr. Suzuki said, "We thought it was the best location in the Government Building compound, as residents can see easily and it is a facility to be used for a long time."

南相馬合同庁舎でも、毎時0.30マイクロシーベルトから、毎時0.14マイクロシー­ベルトに半減している。

At the Minamisoma Common Government Building, the radiation level has dropped from 0.30 microsievert/hour to 0.14 microsievert/hour.

福島県では、問い合わせに対しては、きちんと誠意を持って対応するとしている。

Fukushima Prefecture says the government will respond to residents' queries properly and sincerely.

Properly and sincerely. Here's very bureaucratic-sounding Mr. Suzuki, in FNN News, explaining how they decontaminated the site before installing the monitoring posts:

The entire FNN news clip:

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#Radioactive Japan: Fukushima's Radiation Monitoring Posts Attract Residents' Anger

Yomiuri Shinbun (11/13/2012) reports that the radiation monitoring posts in Fukushima have been the targets of citizens' anger for some time.

As I posted last week, these monitoring posts display lower-than-actual numbers because the lead batteries are placed conveniently or inconveniently so that they block the radiation to the sensors. Step away from these monitors and measure locations with turf or dirt that hasn't been replaced, and the radiation levels could easily be 20, 30% higher, as many (including Professor Hayakawa in Koriyama City) have discovered.

FNN News reports it will cost the national government 150 million yen to fix the problem. As if the government has money.

Photo in the Yomiuri article: Monitor in Motomiya City, Fukushima, with solar panel damaged:

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Japanese Government Now Admits 675 Radiation Monitoring Posts Show "10% Lower" Than Actual Levels, "Beyond Expectation" Says Ministry of Education

Why 10% lower? Because the led battery was shielding the radiation detector.

How convenient.

From Kyodo News (11/7/2012):

現地の放射線量１０％低く表示　監視装置６７５カ所改修へ

Radiation levels displayed 10% lower, 675 monitoring posts to be repaired

　政府の原子力災害対策本部は７日、空間放射線量を測定するため、福島県や周辺県に設置した放射線監視装置（モニタリングポスト）で、１０％程度低い空間線量が表示されていたとして、６７５カ所で改修工事を行うと発表した。

The Nuclear Disaster Response Headquarters of the Japanese national government announced on November 7 that the radiation monitoring posts set up in Fukushima and the neighboring prefectures have been showing air dose levels about 10% lower [than the actual levels], and that the repair work will be done on 675 of them.

　装置内で金属製の箱に覆われたバッテリーが検出器の隣に設置されていたため、放射線が遮られていた。

The metal box containing the battery is placed next to the radiation detector inside a monitoring post, blocking the radiation.

　住民や自治体から実際の線量と異なるという指摘を受け、機器の位置を変更し、より正確な表示を目指す。

Residents and municipalities [in these prefectures] have pointed out that the levels displayed by the monitors are different from the dose levels [that they measure], so the government will modify the location of the equipment and try to have a more accurate reading.

　東京電力福島第１原発事故を受け、政府は公共施設や観光地などにモニタリングポストを設置し、今年４月から文部科学省のホームページで測定結果を公開していた。

In response to the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant accident, the national government has set up the radiation monitoring posts in public buildings and tourism destinations, and the monitoring results have been available on the homepage of the Ministry of Education and Science since this April.

Jiji Tsushin says it was the lead storage batteries right next to the monitoring post shielding radiation from the ground, and there are 545 monitoring posts in Fukushima, and 130 in neighboring Miyagi and Yamagata and other prefectures (the article doesn't say where).

10% lower. And that's on top of the reduction of radiation by replacing the soil/concrete around the monitoring posts, and after a sizeable decrease in cesium-134 (half life 2 years) in the environment.

The original vendor contracted to build these monitoring posts (Alpha Tsushin) was summarily dismissed in November last year after their monitoring posts displayed the radiation levels "too high" for the comfort of the Ministry of Education. The current monitoring posts are supplied by Fuji Electric, one of the top four heavy electric companies including Hitachi, Toshiba, and Mitsubishi, and Hitachi-Aloka Medical.

These four companies do a healthy business contracting from the national and local governments on large and small public projects. Always go extra miles to please the price-insensitive customers.

Jiji Tsushin's article also says:

同省はバッテリーの遮蔽（しゃへい）効果を想定していなかったという。

Ministry of Education says it did not expect the shielding effect of the batteries.

Yeah right. I can almost hear the conversation that may have taken place between an official at the Ministry of Education and the favored vendors like Fuji Electric and Hitachi:

Official: "We have a problem. Alpha Tsushin's monitoring posts are scaring the residents. The numbers are just too high, and we don't think it's right to scare people who have suffered so much (and whom we need to stay put where they are). So we're going to fire the vendor. What can you offer?"

Fuji, Hitachi: "Well, we could build monitoring posts that display more reasonable numbers."

Official: "Do it. I don't care how you do it, and don't tell us how you do it."

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#Fukushima II (Daini)'s Monitoring Posts Were Heavily Damaged in March 11 Tsunami, TEPCO's Photos Show

I don't remember seeing any news about it last year, but then I didn't pay much attention to Fukushima II (Daini).

TEPCO released a series of photographs showing the repair and improvement on Fukushima II Nuclear Power Plant. In it, there are photographs of Monitoring Posts 6 and 7, right after the earthquake/tsunami on March 11, 2011 and after they were rebuilt.

Rebuilt? Yes, they were heavily damaged in the tsunami. MP7 was completely wiped out, as you see in the photo below from TEPCO's Photos and Videos Library 8/3/2012:

MP7 before the earthquake/tsunami (3/17/2004):

MP7 after the earthquake/tsunami (4/24/2011):

Temporary MP7 (8/26/2011):

MP7 newly built (7/24/2012):

So, where is MP7 located? From TEPCO's page on radiation monitoring for Fuku-II:

Comparing this with Google Map, that's about 200 to 300 meters from the river mouth.

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