Monitoring and analysis of radioactive contamination in Beijing following the Japanese Fukushima nuclear accident / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To monitor the levels of radioactive contamination due to the Japanese Fukushima nuclear accident in Beijing,so as to provide scientific technical information for government to draw effective controlling strategy and processing mechanism.Methods The system of nuclear emergency nmonitoring was started,then the radioactive contamination levels of atmosphere,rain water,surface water and vegetables in Beijing were detected according to the relative survey regulations and technology criterions.Results During the period from 15 to 41 d after the accident,obvious radioactive contamination was found in the atmosphere of Beijing.The maximum radioactivity concentration of 131I ( 5.89 mBq/m3 ) was detected at 22 d after the accident.The radioactivity concentrations of 137Cs and 134Cs were surveyed forming their corresponding peaks at 20 d after the accident,but they were one magnitude lower than the peak value of 131I at least.In addition,the gross β radioactivity level in the water of Chao Bai-he river was verified to be in the range of 0.314 - 0.602 Bq/L. Conclusions The radioactive contamination due to Fukushima nuclear accident has not done visible harm to the public health in Beijing,but monitoring should be continued to observe the long-term effect of the accident.