Radiation levels as high as those in the evacuation zone around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, that were detected in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, last month, were likely caused by the disaster, Environment Ministry officials said Tuesday.
The hotspot, a small area of about one meter radius, was found in a vacant lot in Kashiwa. Radiation levels of 4.11 microsieverts per hour were detected one meter above the surface of the soil, equivalent to some areas in the evacuation zone around the crippled nuclear power plant. Up to 450,000 becquerels per kilogram of radioactive substances were detected in the soil below the surface, an Environment Ministry official said, Fuji TV reported.
The area is located some 195 kilometers from the accident site.
Inspectors believe the hotspot was created after radioactive cesium carried by rainwater became concentrated in a small area because of a broken gutter.
A Kashiwa city official said the area had been covered with sand and plastic sheets, which so far have lowered the radiation levels in the air, Fuji reported.
Variable winds, weather and topography result in an uneven spread of contamination from the nuclear plant, experts say, and radioactive elements tend to concentrate in places where dust and rain water accumulate such as drains and ditches.
As researchers carry out tests to map how far contamination has spread from the plant, radiation fears are a daily fact of life in many parts of Japan following the earthquake and tsunami-sparked meltdowns at the plant, with reported cases of contaminated water, beef, vegetables, tea and seafood.
© Japan Today
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Spidapig24
So the brainstrust says that the hotspot (450,000 becquerels per KG) was detected in a spot where a broken gutter caused rainwater to accumulate. Ok thats good that they go to the bottom of the cause for the hotspot. BUT for that amount to accumulate in one spot then can they tell us exactly how much radiation is coming down in the rain? For this may have a bearing on other things like people who grow vegetables and have them out in the rain, kids playing in puddles, animals drinking water that has accumulated from rain etc. Or are we expected to believe that this is isolated to certain areas from certain rain clouds. These spots have been popping up after rain but has anyone actually measured to radiation that is actually falling in the rain? Just a thought
Cricky
A month ago!!! Is it me or has the "shoganii" mentality towards radiation kicked in? Not far from my house so maybe it's just me being alarmed.
YongYang
The way this is written is so telling, so demonstrative of how we are fed. Read it and it’s the gutter’s fault! NO! It's TEPCO"s for not doing the build correctly and ignoring recommendation after recommendation to BUILD THE sea defenses HIGHER! Get checking your areas AGAIN people.
Spidapig24
Zichi, they are very nice to share they radiation wih the nation. Goth love TEPCO for its sharing attitude, l nominate them for company of the year. Sarcasm off....
YongYang
Although it may not be theirs it is their fault it is their; they haven't 'slipped' out that line of responsibility yet if their legal shenanigans only threads that course of 'logic'. 'I did not have sexual relations with that woman'.
YongYang
Third their is there, not their, so THERE!
Cricky
Damn those plumbers and their radiation pockets!
Samantha Zoe Aso
Here we go again.
Ivan Coughanoffalot
Is that true? If so, it's outrageous. Does anyone have a link for this?
MaboDofuIsSpicy
I have checked drainage area where that silty rain deposited dust settles and sticks. Highest so far has been 2+. That is not good, but one meter above it showed normal. However, there are always foot prints from shoes etc. in the dust. That means people carried it with them, and more than likely touched their shoes, and brought it into their bodies, homes and offices.
Blair Herron
@Ivan
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201111240030
smithinjapan
The reason this took a month to come out was because the powers that be took a month to try and spin it some other way. Next we'll be hearing whomever replaced Edano (or is he still there?) say it's not harmful to human health.
I wish it made me happy to know I was right about this all along.
Elbuda Mexicano
Ok so it is OUT in Chiba, when will they give us INFO about us HERE IN TOKYO??
MasterBape
Is anyone at all surpised by this? For one, I'm not.
And as for that link about TEPCO and the lawyers, truly shocking.
Elbuda Mexicano
Mabodofu, that is some good but scary info you have there. By the way, WHERE did you take those radiation samples??
Johannes Weber
Just wait a few months and TEPCO and JGOV will come up with legal action because of ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF FISSILE MATERIAL if some Fukushima resident finds plutonium in their backyard.
It is actually legally difficult. After all, Caesium is a metal resource, though an unwanted one. Therefore the proprietor of the land is the legal owner of that which is found there. Think about how You'd react when they found gold in Your garden. This entire discussion is a product of sloppy lawmakers, who didn't take the possibility serious in the past. It is a problem in other countries as well. However, despite the naive legal situation, it is a problem which has a correct solution. But lawmakers would have to do something useful instead of their normal infighting.
smithinjapan
Thanks for the link, Blair Herron. I've forwarded it to various people. Utterly disgusting. I'd say shocking, but it's not in the least.
SquidBert
450 000 becquerels per kilogram is indeed an amazing number.
The_True
NO IT'S NOT FROM THE PLANT!!
MaboDofuIsSpicy
Mexicano:
In Setagaya Ward near Futakotamagawa station vicinity.
I cringe when I see people sweeping up leaves on the streets near the gutters.
There is danger out there. Be careful.
Utrack
If it's this high ( 4.11 microsieverts per hour ) .
Ivan Coughanoffalot
Thanks, Blair (I think that's the first time I ever wrote that...)
That's gone on Facebook.
Utrack
A Kashiwa city official said the area had been covered with sand and plastic sheets, which so far have lowered the radiation levels in the air.
A strong wind may spread the sand and plastic sheets around SO I say again If it's this high ( 4.11 microsieverts per hour ). Should not something more be done? Like bring in a HazMat team clear the immediate area, test the sourounding area and get cracking on a serious cleanup.
Utrack
mispelled surrounding.
and the exclusion is excluded for a reason and that reason is cropping up 195km away.