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Airborne gamma-ray emitters from Fukushima detected in New York State

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Abstract

An air-sampling network that operates continuously as part of New York State’s environmental surveillance program collected radionuclides emitted as a result of the Fukushima nuclear accident. Samples were collected, typically for 7 days each, by drawing ~600 m3 of air through a particulate-collecting filter followed in series by a canister containing activated charcoal. Additional air sampling was implemented at ~3-day intervals at two locations. Gamma-ray spectroscopy was used to confirm the detection of 131I, 137Cs, 134Cs, and 7Be in the particulate phase at all sites, with maximum concentrations near 1,260, 160, 160, and 5,200 μBq/m3, respectively. Gas-phase 131I, collected on activated charcoal, exhibited a maximum concentration of 3,400 μBq/m3 at the sites. Assessment of radionuclide levels in the air samples suggests that there were minimal health impacts from the airborne radionuclides as the activities contributed an insignificant amount to the annual human dose.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank staffs of the Bureau of Environmental Radiation Protection, regional and local health departments, and power utilities that support the sampling for the environmental surveillance network.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, P.O. Box 509, Albany, NY, 12201, USA

    Michael E. Kitto, Traci A. Menia, Douglas K. Haines, Shaun E. Beach, Clayton J. Bradt, Eileen M. Fielman, Umme-Farzana Syed, Thomas M. Semkow, Abdul Bari & A. J. Khan

  2. School of Public Health, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12203, USA

    Michael E. Kitto & Thomas M. Semkow

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  1. Michael E. Kitto
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  2. Traci A. Menia
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  3. Douglas K. Haines
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  4. Shaun E. Beach
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  5. Clayton J. Bradt
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  6. Eileen M. Fielman
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  7. Umme-Farzana Syed
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  8. Thomas M. Semkow
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  9. Abdul Bari
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  10. A. J. Khan
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Correspondence to Michael E. Kitto.

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Kitto, M.E., Menia, T.A., Haines, D.K. et al. Airborne gamma-ray emitters from Fukushima detected in New York State. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 296, 49–56 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-012-2043-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-012-2043-0

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