Update on Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident in Japan

INFORMATION BULLETIN № 16

30 March 2011

Update as of 11:00 AM

 The DOST-PNRI continues to closely monitor the situation at the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

 The condition in the plant remains very serious but not worsening.

 Plutonium (Pu) was reportedly found in soil samples at the Fukushima plant site. However, according to the Japanese government agency MEXT, the concentration of the detected Pu is still in the background range of Pu activity found in Japan before the accident. Concentrations reported for both Pu-238 and Pu-239/240 are similar to those deposited in Japan as a result of the testing of nuclear weapons. The ratio of the concentrations of Pu-238 and Pu-239/240 in two of the samples indicates that very small amounts of Pu might have been released during the Fukushima accident, but this requires to be further clarified.

 Radiation continues to be detected in the marine environment near the plant. According to the IAEA, it can be expected that the data will be quite variable in the near future depending on the discharge levels from the plant. In general, dilutions by ocean currents and into deeper waters as well as decay of short lived radioactive isotopes such as Iodine-131 will soon lead to lower values.

 The DOST-PNRI does not expect that harmful levels of radioactivity will reach the Philippine waters.

 The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) air monitoring station in the Philippines being serviced by the DOST-PNRI detected the following radioactivity concentrations:

Radioisotope	March 23 *(μBq/m3)	March 24 (μBq/m3)	March 25 (μBq/m3)	March 26 (μBq/m3)	March 27 (μBq/m3)
Iodine-131	33	480	54	20	47
Cesium-134	4.2	92	6.3	0.7	2.6
Cesium-137	5.7	120	7.7	0.7	3.1

 Latest DOST-PNRI RADIATION LEVEL CHECK at PNRI grounds as of 9:00 AM, March 30, 2011: 100 to 115 nSv/hr (nanosieverts per hour), STATUS: NORMAL

 Based on the PAGASA model, air parcel coming from northern Japan is forecasted to move east towards the Pacific Ocean for the next three days.

 For the latest information, please access the following websites:

·         International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

(http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/tsunamiupdate01.html)

·         Nuclear and Industrial Safety Administration (NISA) of Japan

(www.nisa.meti.go.jp/english/index.html)

·         World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/hac/crises/jpn/en/index.html)

 For further advisories, please call the PNRI trunklines with Tel Nos. 929-6010 to 19 or visit the following:

•   DOST (www.dost.gov.ph)

•   PNRI (www.pnri.dost.gov.ph)

•   STII (www.stii.dost.gov.ph) 


Tina Cerbolles, Information Officer, DOST-PNRI