EUROPEAN RADIATION RESEARCH 2012

RPII Environmental Monitoring Response to the Fukushima Accident

16 Oct 2012, 15:00

15m

Hall "E" (Vietri sul Mare)

oral (15 minutes) Radioecology Radioecology

Speaker

Ms Lorraine Currivan (Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland)

Description

This paper presents the results of additional environmental radioactivity monitoring carried out by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, in 2011 following the accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Japan. It will also compare model predictions with measured air concentrations, demonstrating that the model predictions were broadly in agreement with the magnitude and timing of the observed radionuclide concentrations. The RPII carries out an environmental radioactivity monitoring programme on a continuous basis and has published the results in a series of reports, all of which are available on the RPII website, www.rpii.ie. On March 22nd 2011, in response to the deteriorating situation at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Japan RPII increased the frequency of sampling and analysis of air, rainwater and milk in Ireland in anticipation of the arrival of the radioactive plume in Europe. The aims of the monitoring were to assess the levels of radioactivity from the accident reaching Ireland and to provide data on which to base the RPII’s advice to the Government and public. Due to the decrease in levels of radioactivity detected from Fukushima to close to or below the limits of detection, the monitoring programme reverted to routine operation at the end of May 2011. Details of the re-assurance monitoring programme and results showing increased activities measured during this period will be presented.