Decontamination successful?

December 24, 2013

Radiation levels drop after trial decontamination

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20131225_05.html

A government survey shows that radiation levels dropped by more than half after trial decontamination in residential areas severely affected by the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.

The Environment Ministry started trial decontamination in October in areas designated as unsuitable for living due to radiation levels of more than 50 millisieverts per year. Officials had not begun full-scale decontamination because they estimated that residents would face difficulties in returning home for a long time.

The trial decontamination was conducted to check its effectiveness. NHK was able to access the preliminary data.

The survey shows the average radiation level in 3 residential districts in Namie Town after the trial ranges from 3.51 to 6.56 micro-sieverts per hour. That's less than half the figure before the decontamination was carried out.

The radiation level at a kindergarten in Futaba Town fell by nearly 70 percent.

The results in some spots satisfy the criteria for easing the evacuation zone restrictions. But these areas will still require decontamination as the radiation levels significantly exceed the government's safety standard.

The ministry will study the trial results and requests from residents to decide how to proceed with the decontamination work.