Visiting Tokyo Japan in 2013 - Radiation Concerns

My brother and I are planning to travel to Tokyo Japan in May 2013 for 2 weeks of vacation.

Given the 2011 earthquake in Japan that led to the nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Plant, we’ve been doing some research and had a few concerns about the radiation from the fallout. A coworker of mine recently decided to cancel his trip to Japan, so we’ve been concerned even more. I understand that it has been almost 2 years since the incident, and that Fukushima is 160 miles away from Tokyo, but we just wanted to make sure it is safe to visit given that we are not sure what impact has been left behind.

Here are some of our concerns given the research we’ve done on the internet:

1. Cesium and Strontium

A. What is the likelihood of cesium being inahled or ingested. If inhaled or ingested over a 2 week period what are the Long term effects?

B. I’ve read that cesium has a half life of 70 days in the body for adults up to 30 years of age, is this true?

From Japans Consumer Affairs Agency:
The biological half-life for iodine-131 is approximately 11 days in infants, 23 days in five-year-olds and 80 days in adults. For cesium-137, it is approximately 9 days for one-year-olds, 38 days for children up to nine years of age, 70 days for adults up to 30 years of age, and 90 days for adults up to 50 years of age. Therefore, when cesium-137, which has a long physical half-life of 30 years, is taken into the body, the amount remaining in the body is reduced by half in three months (in the case of 50-year-olds).

Source: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/policy/documents/2011/__icsFiles/afieldf...

C. Does Cesium affect the heart negatively? Do we have reason to be concerned long term if we are only staying for 2 weeks?

D. I notice cesium observations and readings are very common, but I don’t see very much coverage around strontium 90. Is there a reason why the Japanese Government hasn’t given more attention to strontium 90 monitoring in soil, air, and food than cesium monitoring? I’ve read through sites such as wikipedia that strontium can cause lukemia in the long run and would have the most severe effect of all the fallout materials. Is there any reason why the government held off till this year to report these numbers? Please see articles below

Source:
 Asahi article on strontium
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201207250060
 Fukushima diary
http://www.simplyinfo.org/?p=6942
 A Fukushima Blog
http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/2012/07/now-they-tell-us-ministry-of-educatio...
 Ministry of Education, Sports, Science, Technoloy – Japan
Strontium Results (Japansese)
http://radioactivity.mext.go.jp/ja/contents/6000/5808/24/194_Sr_0724.pdf
Strontium Results (Translated In English):
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ja&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=...

E. What is the likelihood of strontium being inhaled or ingested? If inhaled or ingested over a 2 week period what are the long term effects? Can you get lukemia from breathing strontium over a 2 week period? Do we have reason to be concerned or paniced?

F. Does strontium stay in the body long run?

G. I’ve also gone to a few other websites to see if there are other concerns around radiation in Tokyo and have attached them below. Are these credible, and should these be reason for concern? The Dr. Chris Busby article especially concerns me, as it implies that maybe indoor areas maybe high with radiation?

1.) Dr. Chris Busby
 I watched an online video on You Tube from Dr. Chris Busby. In the video he claims an air condition filter from Tokyo has high levels of radiation. 183,000 BQ Is this credible? Should we be concerned/paniced with hotel rooms and indoor area air quality?
Source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9pk42kdL4k
Article from a Canadian Website:
http://www.straight.com/node/742851
About Chris Busby:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Busby
2.) Video on train
 I watched an online video of a passenger taking a train ride to Tokyo Narita Airport and he found high levels of radiation on the train using a radiation meter. Is this credible and should I be concerned?
Source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4QXYyqdP2o
3.) Radiation Defense Project
 This website reported high levels of radiation (cesium) in hotspots around tokyo. Is this credible and should I be concerned?
Source:
http://www.radiationdefense.jp/investigation/metropolitan/?lang=en
About Radiation Defense:
http://www.radiationdefense.jp/about_us/?lang=en

H. Given all these concerns, should we be concerned about visiting Tokyo and Japan? Will these concerns above give us long term issues? Are there any other particles from the fall out that we should be concerned about (ie. plutonium)

Thanks for taking the time to answer my email

I believe

Liars Poker

It has been my experience that LIARS show up, with all kinds of credentials, when there is a dollar at stake.

That is my considered opinion of John Boice.

Just another liar.

No shortage of them when money is involved.

The courtrooms are full of LYING witnesses, under penalty of perjury.

Nothing special about it at all. A routine day-to-day event.

NO PROOF as always.

Once again we have the anti-nukes making vacuous statements about what they "believe"; but as always we see that their opinions are ill-considered and uninformed.

It would be one thing for them to document that someone accepted money from the Nuclear Energy Institute, the lobby group for the nuclear industry. But they don't do that. Additionally, someone like Arnie Gundersen, who makes his living getting money from the anti-nuclear lobby groups, gets a "pass" - that's OK with them.

Scientists look at the evidence, and then form their opinions and beliefs. That's the "scientific method".

The anti-nukes have their own beliefs based on nothing but their own biases; and then they fabricate "evidence" to support their biased beliefs. They fabricate "evidence" that emminent scientists are lying in order to marginalize them. It doen't matter that the scientists have done the experiments, gleaned the knowledge from Mother Nature; the anti-nukes off-handedly just brand them as LIARS with no proof; so they don't have to deal with the truth.

Nothing special there either.

Shining Wit

Shining Wit

My but you are such a Shining Wit.

You lyinTurds in the NPP 'bidnees' have been playing 'both-ends-against-the-middle', for decades.

The USSR Chernobyl booboo was dismissable as due to the ineptitude of the communist system. The AREVA MOX Fueled, GE-Designed, Atomic Explosion and ongoing 'China Syndrome' in FDU-3, Hydrogen delagrations in FDU-1&2, Meltdowns in FDU-5&6, together with the teetering Spent Fuel Pond in FDU-4; are a SERIOUS WakeUp Call.

The deafening silence of the UN, Vatican, Global Media and USA, give us a PREVIEW of Coming Attractions with the NEXT major nuclear catastrophe in the USA. Just like at TMI, the American Public can expect Pure Horse Hoodaw and inaction. Oh and deadly Silence.

You Shining Wit.

Oops, parden the Spoonerism.

Shining WHit

Correction:

Shining Whit

Jokes are ALL in the delivery

Bombed that one - LOL

Will work on the timing as well.

Boice Fits Right In

John Boice 'fits right in' with congress.

535 liars in congress, PLUS 1 Lying Witness.

That brings the total to ~ 536 if everybody shows up.

The criminal charge is 'Contempt of Congress' and/or 'Obstruction of Congress'.

There is similarly a CIVIL citation for 'Contempt of Congress'.

Finally, congress has a rarely used power, 'ESSENTIAL Contempt of Congress'.

Congress can and has been known to 'clap them in irons', right there on the premises, in the Capitol Building. Hasn't been done lately though.

Easy enough to FEEL contempt for congress or to deeply hold a personal contempt for congress. That sentiment describes about 70% of the USA voting age population.

The CHARGE 'Contempt of Congress' relates to ACTIONS in hearings, not to personal disgust for the scummy pieces of dogdung that are presently IN congress.

Blocked in the Heart of Japan

Cs-137/134 is (presumably) blocking cardiac conduction in the Heart of Japan.

What, pray tell, is blocking my simple comment about commercially available, personal heart monitors, with pricing and a link.

I am NOT selling and/or endorsing a gawdamn thing. It is likely, that across the earth, there are DOZENS of brands and models. My comment, makes that clear; but has been BLOCKED twice.

What in the wild-wild world of sports is going on here?

Nippon Survival Gear

Personal ECG Cardiac Monitors

This is NOT a commercial endorsement or a solicitation. I have zero personal familiarity with this particular product and/or manufacturer. This is merely an example of readily available commercial products, that would be handy to have in a nuclear Armageddon, such as Fukushima, Chernobyl and perhaps … TMI PA, NV Southern UT and/or Ground Zero Tehran (تهران‎.).

http://www.amperordirect.com/c/c-ecg-ekg-monitor/index.html

Personal ECG / EKG monitors for Sale! Buy a cardiac monitor here. We offer the best value in town.

Personal ECG Monitor MD100E, Price: $258.88
Home ECG / EKG Monitor Choice Observer MD100A12 Price: $156.88
ECG Cables for MD100A Home ECG Monitor Price: $33.88
Disposable ECG Electrodes - 50 packs Price: $17.88

The effects of Cs-137/134 on cardiac conduction

The effects of Cs-137/134 on cardiac conduction

The effects of Cs-137/134 on cardiac conduction are (presumably) well known. We just don’t presently have access to the studies. This subject has (doubtlessly) been extensively and intensively studied, since the sentinel Belarus cardiac study. We can begin from first principles, while patiently awaiting the posting of the results of those studies. No doubt the Japanese government and international groups are following up, albeit below the radar.

The conducting system of the heart:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te_SY3MeWys

Cardiac Electrochemistry:
http://heart-cardiovascular-health.knoji.com/the-electrochemistry-of-hea...
http://physrev.physiology.org/content/84/2/431.long

The cells that control the heartbeats have a potential difference (voltage) that depends upon the ionic concentrations of sodium and potassium.
Maxwell’s Equations:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/maxeq.html

Mickey Mouse

Where oh Where ?

Where are the mouse studies for the cardiac conduction effects of Cs-137/134?

Tiny little probes connected to a 12 Lead ECG.

Probably conducted by at least 5 separate programs.

I'LL WAGER that more than 50 such studies have been conducted in the USA alone.

Oh Where oh Where could they be?

Layman Question

Is there any evidence or speculation that cesium itself may be bad for the heart, regardless of whether it is stable or radioactive? Fallout is certainly adding cesium to our diet, I have no doubt.

Professor Farnsworth

Radio-Cesium Cardiac Arrhythmias

Farns,

Here yah go. RadioCesium cardiac effects. Looks like you would need to use Stable Cesium Chloride as a Salt Substitute to EVER have a physiologic effect. RadioCesium Cs-137/134 IS the Culprit in the Chernobyl and Fukushima regions. Likely TMI PA region as well, but that is a different kettle of fish.

2.2 SUMMARY OF HEALTH EFFECTS

Cardiac Arrhythmias

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp157.pdf

TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE FOR CESIUM

Information regarding health effects in humans that can be associated with exposure to higher-thannormal levels of stable cesium is restricted to an account of decreased appetite, nausea, and diarrhea in a man who repeatedly ingested experimental amounts of cesium chloride and reports of prolonged QT syndrome and associated cardiac arrhythmias in patients who ingested (MASSIVE QUANTITIES OF) cesium chloride as a component of homeopathic remedies.

Exposure to radioisotopes of cesium is of much greater human health concern. Energy released by radioactive isotopes can result in significant damage to living cells. Both 134Cs and 137Cs emit beta particles and gamma rays, which may ionize molecules within cells penetrated by these emissions and result in tissue damage and disruption of cellular function. The most important exposure routes for radioisotopes of cesium are external exposure to the radiation released by the radioisotopes and ingestion of radioactive cesium-contaminated food sources. Inhalation and dermal exposure routes may also present a health hazard. The hazards of external exposure to 134Cs and 137Cs are similar to those of other gamma- and beta-emitting radionuclides.

3.5.2.3 Dermal Exposure
One report was located regarding distribution of cesium in animals following dermal exposure (Pendic and Milivojevic 1966). The investigators found widespread distribution of 137Cs in rats within a few minutes following application of 137CsCl solution to the skin. Although cesium was distributed throughout the body, it was deposited mainly in the kidneys, muscular tissues (particularly cardiac muscle), and liver.

Prolly NOT

Farns,

Goood Question, but prolly not. I glanced over the MSDS and various public health pages. Stable (non-radioactive) Cs did not appear to be a player.

Easy enough for you to verify for yourself.

Looks like Cs-137/134 are the culpret(s)

WE have already PAID for the experiments and detailed research results. It would be interesting to have ACCESS to the gawdamn reports.

Oh and some poor Japanese kids might also benefit IFF their parents had a little insight into what is ACTUALLY ailing them. As opposed to the Horse Hoodaw they have been receiving from TEPCO and/or Japan Inc. But I suppose that is their problem, not ours.

IMHO

M&M due to cardiac electric dysfunction

Cardiac electric dysfunctions frequently result in “Irregularities of the heartbeat due to cardiac electric dysfunction are one of the most frequent causes of mortality and morbidity in the human population.”

http://physrev.physiology.org/content/84/2/431.long

Basic Mechanisms of Cardiac Impulse Propagation and Associated Arrhythmias

INTRODUCTION
Irregularities of the heartbeat due to cardiac electric dysfunction are one of the most frequent causes of mortality and morbidity in the human population. Most of these cases of fatal arrhythmias occur in the setting of cardiac failure as an end-stage syndrome of a variety of cardiac diseases (231, 232).

The understanding of basic mechanisms of rhythm disturbances in the ventricles and atria has grown rapidly in the course of the last century. It became evident as early as 1912 that rapid repetitive excitation of cardiac tissue may arise from disturbances in impulse propagation termed circus movement reentry (222). In 1949, Coraboeuf and Weidmann (46, 47) recorded the first transmembrane action potential from cardiac tissue. Based on the principles of nerve excitation established by Hodgkin and Huxley (131), this discovery made it possible to relate important properties of membrane ion channels to the generation of the action potential. Later, evidence for electric coupling of cardiac cells through low-resistance gap junctions was established (356, 358, 359), a property that is crucial for the propagation of the cardiac impulse. The description of a Ca2+ inward current as a mediator of electromechanical coupling and the introduction of the patch-clamp method to characterize the properties of single membrane ion channels were additional key steps toward the understanding of the molecular mechanism of cardiac action potential generation and its propagation in the heart (233, 269, 270).

ANDRÉ G. KLÉBER and YORAM RUDY + Author Affiliations Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Switzerland; and the Cardiac Bioelectricity Research and Training Center, Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Physiology and Biophysics, and Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

Electron Gun

Cs-137/134 act as a powerful Electron Cannon. That puppy is SMOKING, near light speed!

The Drift Current of an electron in a copper wire is very slow, a few meters per second. A biologic current such as a sodium pump or a hydrogen pump would probably be pokey, like ... 10 MPH.

So we come to a cardiac conduction bundle, which is used to a low speed, liquid charge carrier. Then we FIRE a near Light Speed Electron right through the middle of the bundle.

Disruption, YEAH, I could visualize that. It might cause a PVC or other arrythmia. Irritability would be a given. Oh, and over and over and over while the Cs-137/134 remains in the cardiac tissue.

A clean diet and perhaps a little Prussian Blue to clear the Cesium out of the body. Evacuation from the disaster area would be a given.

Just Speculating on an etiology, since the world seems to have taken 'LockJaw' on the subject. Trying to use visual analogies, for the benefit of the general audience.

Bill Duff

The basic physics

An Electron (BETA) Gun much more powerful than in old-style cathode ray tubes.

The virtually massless neutrino particle that carries away some of the energy from the Cs-137/134.

High energy betas traveling through water may produce Cerenkov Radiation, which in turn produces the cerulean (blue) glow commonly seen in nuclear reactors.

None of this stuff is going to be good for a beating human heart, particularly not in children or emperors with cardiac issues.

IMHO

Bill Duff

Pain

PVC Pain

PVCs can be excruciatingly painful and may result in death.

Asystole literally means 'no beating', this is not always exactly descriptive. Quite often the heart is quivering, but not producing a coordinated squeeze that will move blood.

Some of the other arrythmias are painless (silent). Some are benign and some are deadly.

Cs-137/134 would not be a useful heart medication.

I would presume that pain and disability are the norm, for any significant RadioCesium cardia dosage/load.

It is a wonder that the relatives of these Fukushima Children have not 'Gone Postal'. That would, IMHO, be a rational and perhaps even desirable response. Curative, by eradication of the source. Therapeutic, in a public health fashion.

Japanese History & Culture

The Japanese have a long history of ansatsusha

Yasushi Nagao won the Pulitzer Prize for this footage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTWNRx-4aFM

This is not advocacy. It is merely expectation, based on history.

Particle Energy Levels

Electron (BETA) Energies

Cs-134 Average Energy Levels: 23.1 keV & 210 keV
Cs-137 Average Energy Levels: 416.3 keV & 174 keV

Plus the occasional Gamma Ray, oh and the nuclear Transmutations may produce some ... interesting biochemistry with nearby atoms and molecules.

This is NOT a good thing INSIDE a human heart. It appears to be a wonder, that humans can survive this kind of electrical impulse activity.

One must wonder, just how many sudden cardiac deaths have been going on in the Fukushima region? Some arrythmias are 'malignant', as in deadly, such as asystole and Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC). And the kids would seem likely to be lethargic, weak and generally malaise.

Thus, I find the Belarus publication to be ... plausible. Protestations to the contrary seem ... well ... weak. And there does not appear to be much 'encouragement' to discuss these subjects.

Bill Duff

keV Energies

A Newton is about like a Quarter Pounder +/- the cheese.

Energy: 1 N-m = 6.24150647996E+15 keV

Therefore: Taking a look at the mid-range value of the average values.

kiloelectron-volt [keV]: 174
joule [J]: 2.8e-14 [Nm] (Joule)

416.3 keV = 6.669864099900001e-14 [Nm] --- (Joule)

All of the electron Volt emission energies might interrupt the heart. Or perhaps only one specific Range of energies interfered with the Belarusian Kids. That is the sort of interesting technical DETAIL that is in the (hidden) Radio-Cesium studies that US Taxpayers funded, but cannot access. I suppose we could file a FOI request on the already huge mountain of similarly ‘classified information’. The reason for this type of ‘classification’, is … “because”.

FOIA doesn't work on classified information

The Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) can NOT be used to access classified informaiton. The FOIA contains 9 exemptions to release under FOIA. If the information sought fits into the class of one of these 9 exemptions, then the release of the information under FOIA is denied:

http://www.osec.doc.gov/omo/foia/exemptions.htm

Exemption #1 is the one that exempts "classifed information" from being released:

(b)(1) EXEMPTION - Protects Classified Matters of National Defense or Foreign Policy
This exemption protects from disclosure national security information concerning the national defense or foreign policy, provided that it has been properly classified in accordance with the substantive and procedural requirements of an executive order.

FOI

The Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) can NOT be used to access ... much of anything.

If memory serves, the Associated Press filed the appropriate forms to get all the Fukushima disaster documents.

Still waiting ...

FOI, is that ... Forever On Intermission, or is it Freedom of Information?

I forget!

Then, if memory serves, the AP promptly went to sleep. We can hear the snoring to this day.

Any minute now, the AP will 'jump' on this story 'like a duck on a June bug'.

That Fukushima WARNING is imminent.

Waiting ... waiting ...

Don't worry about neutrinos...

Don't worry about neutrinos.

The interaction of neutrinos with matter is so weak, that the average distance a neutrino will travel in solid lead before it makes a single interaction is measured in light-years:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/particles/neutrino3.html#c2

The number of neutrinos from radioactive materials you may encounter will be totally swamped by the number of neutrinos passing through you due to the Sun.

If the neutrino doesn't interact with your atoms in passing through you, it can't do any damage. Damage is interacting.

RadioCaesium affects Heart Conduction; YES or NO?

Whether or NOT?

Do RadioCaesium isotopes adversely affect heart conduction?

This is a relatively simple question. And, for once, the ANWSER is as simple as the question. Conduction changes can be detected by simple heart monitors, which are located in virtually every EMS/fire station on God’s Green Earth. The cost is probably about $5 for a set of electrical leads (probes).

Detailed analysis with 12 Lead EKGs are available in every hospital and cardiovascular specialty office.

Cs-137/134 cardiac conduction abnormalities are simple enough to determine; ONCE you know to look.

Perhaps Fukushima Parents should visit their local Ambulance and/or Emergency Room.

ANY EMT

Let's get to the BOTTOM of this matter.

Any EMT can connect a child to the fire station heart monitor. Any EMT-SS paramedic, LVN, RN, Medical Student I, and half the cops and airline flight attendants can spot a normal versus an abnormal ElectroCardiogram - PQRST Wave.

The Heart Conduction of Fukushima Children is Normal ... OR ... NOT!

What is the Gawdamn Answer to such a SIMPLE question?

Electrochemistry, heart electrical conduction, cardiac mechanism and cardiac output are somewhat complex. ECG tracings are simple. A Rhesus monkey could be trained to accurately read them.

WTF is going on here?

BRAWM is a Physics blog... No, it's an Engineering blog, no...

... it's a Tourism blog from the Greater Tokyo Chamber of Commerce! The post below reassures one that travelling to Osaka is safe... but Osaka is nearly 250 miles from Tokyo. And then there is this transcript:
http://enenews.com/us-evacuation-out-at-least-150-200-miles-past-tokyo-c...

Professor Farnsworth

Expected

Farns,

I expected you would chime in. While I personally regard this as informal discussion, which is subject to dynamic give & take ...

It is recognized that you are kinda 'down' on the BRAWM team which graciously HOSTS this informative blog. Nobody knows everything or has it all at their fingertips.

I applaud their willingness to venture into this robust discussion,

Oh and your similar willingness, to endure the slings and arrows of public policy debate.

Bill Duff

Nos morituri te salutamus!

Down on the BRAWM team... me? Naw! Look at how polite I was to Diemos when he gave me an honest, if incomplete, answer (too polite for some, apparently). Searching for the truth sometimes requires wading through nettles, I suppose. So much for chitchat - en garde!

Professor Farnsworth

Even a blind hog

Farns,

"Even a blind hog finds an acorn once in awhile."

The Pro-Nuke crowd would strongly PREFER that we not discuss certain subjects. These subjects include, but are not limited to: Acute Radiation Syndrome, Leukemia, Cancer, Immune System Suppression, FDU-3 Atomic Explosion, Cardiac Conduction, MOX, Bio-Accumulation, GE Mark-1 Containment, Pacific Ocean Contamination, and the (here/gone again) Anti-Radiation Drug Stockpile.

What other uncomfortable subjects are still being silenced and/or avoided?

The attention of the public is being ‘redirected’. This is, IMHO, another manifestation of ‘Data Diddling’.

Uncomfortable subjects, you ask?

My vote is the UCB connection to Wisegeeks, who claim Brown's Gas is "relatively safe to work with" - well, maybe relative to MOX...
See http://www.nuc.berkeley.edu/forum/218/browns-gas-and-wikipedia-fraud.201...

Professor Farnsworth

Diemos is not a BRAWM team member...

He has said as much before.

Team members identify ourselves clearly.

Mark [BRAWM Team Member]

Team Members and Apologists...

... so when Bill Duff says "It is recognized that you are kinda 'down' on the BRAWM team which graciously HOSTS this informative blog. Nobody knows everything or has it all at their fingertips.", he is not speaking for the BRAWM team... but is merely apologizing for them?

Professor Farnsworth

Not an Apologist

Farns,

I do not serve as an apologist, for BRAWM. Unwarranted accusations and implausible theories are likely to be 'taken-apart'. Idiots, Liars and Nut-Ball theories are fair game.

"Call them as you see them", like in Baseball. It is as simple as that.

It is impolite, to insult your host. Simple, good manners, IMHO. Back in the day, SILENCE was CONSENT, so silence may not be a major player.

Bill Duff

Nice touch, Bill ...

I applaud Farts, er, Farns too...

Visiting Tokyo

Hi, you have asked some very good questions, and the bottom line is that radiation levels in Tokyo are not much different from the natural radioactive background. I traveled to Tokyo myself for a week last year and had a great time.

Here are some more details on your specific questions:

A. The Japanese government has been monitoring food and air levels and has evacuated areas around the plant where the dose levels are unacceptable for the public. Food and environmental levels are being monitored extensively by the government. Much of this raw information is available on the MEXT website. There are also non-governmental sources such as Safecast.

B. Yes, what you said is true about the biological half-life of cesium — any cesium ingested leaves your body over the course of a few months. The link you have provided is an excellent FAQ with good information about radiation levels in Japan. Here is that link again: Food and Radiation Q and A, Consumer Affairs Agency

C. As far as I know, mainstream health physics does not indicate heart problems from Cs-137 exposure.

D, E, and F. The reason that the focus has not been on Sr-90 is that the amounts of Sr-90 released by Fukushima were much, much less than the cesium released. The Asahi Shimbun article you cited gives all of the context you need to understand Sr-90 levels in Japan. For example, they compare measured levels to levels in Japan during above-ground nuclear weapons testing (these levels were many, many times larger than after both Chernobyl and Fukushima).

G. Please be careful on the internet as there is a lot of information out there, both good and bad. Even the good information out there requires context in order to understand what it means.

For example, in the video from a train you mention in (2): I would not worry about this too much since one can get bad readings with radiation meters in an electrically noisy environment.

A very good resource that you might find useful is the Health Physics Society. They maintain a set of FAQs, including Is traveling to Osaka, Japan safe?, which was answered in late 2011.

Please let me know if you have any more questions.

Mark [BRAWM Team Member]

Circular Citation

A Circular Citation … leads nowhere. I cite the Belarus study, Mark cites UNSCEAR , which cites the Belarus study and calls for ‘more study’.

Citation:

1. Military . mention of a soldier or a unit in orders, usually for gallantry: Presidential citation.
2. any award or commendation, as for outstanding service, hard work, or devotion to duty, especially a formal letter or statement recounting a person's achievements. Synonyms: official praise; award; honor, laurel, reward, kudos.
3. a summons, especially to appear in court.
4. a document containing such a summons.
5. the act of citing or quoting a reference to an authority or a precedent.

Word Origin for Citation:
1250–1300; Middle English citacio ( u ) n from Old French citation, from Late Latin citātiōn- (stem of citātiō ), equivalent to Latin citāt ( us ) past participle of citāre (see cite1 ) + -iōn- -ion; citare, from ciere, from cieo (to move, set in motion, stir, move), which is a transliteration of the Greek verb cieo/cineo (I move, stir, rouse, summon; Gr: κιέω/κιώ/κινέω).

What are you referring to?

Please tell me which Belarus study you are referring to, and where in the UNSCEAR 2008 report it is cited.

Mark [BRAWM Team Member]

RadioCaesium effects on Cardiac Conduction

Mark,

There are several papers and publications related to Belarus RadioCesium cardiac effects. I will look through my notes and archives. This subject did not appear, at first glance, to be particularly contentious. It was an off-hand casual reference to a known effect. This link to one such paper is functional. Similarly, the UNSCEAR reference was initially quite casual, in that I glanced at the references page in the document. I do tend to Archive much more than I can easily retrieve.

http://www.enfants-tchernobyl-belarus.org/doku.php?id=base_documentaire:...

Enfants of Tchernobyl Belarus

Association Loi 1901 - Résidence "Les Jardins d'Emeraude" 28 B, rue de la République - appt 21 - 22770 LANCIEUX

Bulletin _Actualités_Agenda/Actions_Base documentaire_

Table 1 Frequency of electrocardiographic modifications and radioactive cesium concentration in the organism of children of different groups.

http://www.enfants-tchernobyl-belarus.org/lib/exe/detail.php?id=base_doc...

Group Radioactive caesium accumulation in the organism, Bq/kg Frequency of electrocardiographi c alterations, %
1. Gomel 30,32±0,66 72.3
2. Vetka 82,50±7,32 86,8
3. Svetilovichi 91,20±7,68 94,4
4. Grodno 29,74±0,67 66,3
5. Minsk
including
Minsk-1
Minsk-2 14,00±1,46

Please read the UNSCEAR reports

Please do not just glance at the UNSCEAR reports and then say I gave a circular citation.

If you look at the references in the UNSCEAR reports, you will find that the literature you cite is not considered in the reports at all since it is not mainstream health physics. And according to mainstream health physics, these health effects do not surely happen at low doses.

The reason one should not ignore mainstream health physics is that the literature is peer reviewed to ensure a good scientific standard. Correlating low-dose radiation exposure to cardiovascular disease is not as simple as taking EKGs of people exposed to radiation and looking for abnormalities, for the simple reason that heart problems can be caused by many things that have nothing at all to do with radiation (e.g., stress, smoking, etc.). Anyone who does so is not doing a scientific study.

Mark [BRAWM Team Member]

Thanks!

Thanks Mark! Can you please provide an email address for BRAWN where I can forward additional questions?

No problem

No problem. The best place to ask questions is this forum since others might have similar questions.

Mark [BRAWM Team Member]

Mark, Could you explain more

Mark, Could you explain more about your comment:

"For example, in the video from a train you mention in (2): I would not worry about this too much since one can get bad readings with radiation meters in an electrically noisy environment."

What part of the handheld radiation meter specifically is affected by the electrically noisy environment you refer to?
It is unlikely to be the processor, I've used portable handheld electronics on electric trains many times and never had any issues.

Are you referring instead to some behavior of the Geiger Muller tube?
If so, what specifically?

Do you have a reference for such 'bad readings' behavior?

SOEKS manual

Yes, the GM tube is sensitive to noise (see the comment below). This problem is explicitly mentioned in a comment on the Youtube video where they point out that the SOEKS manual warns against this (under "Precautions"):

- Do not leave the product for a long time near devices that generate strong magnetic fields, such as magnets or electric motors, and where strong electrical magnetic signals are generated, such as transmitter towers.
- Do not perfom measurements close to cell phones and microwaves, this may affect the instrument's readings

Mark [BRAWM Team Member]

Geiger-Muller tubes

Are you referring instead to some behavior of the Geiger Muller tube?

Geiger-Muller tubes are tubes that contain a gas, and electrodes. In a GM counter, the electrodes are charged up to a voltage that is just shy of the voltage required to "breakdown" the gas, making it electrically conductive and providing a current path between the two electrodes.

The very slight amount of ionization produced by the radiation is litterally the "straw that breaks the camel's back" and results in gas breakdown and arc-over.
Once the GM counter sees that the gas has broken down, it tallies a "hit" by radiation, and turns off the high voltage. Once the gas has settled down, the counter turns the high voltage back on and the system is reset for the next time.

The GM tube is very sensitive because it is sitting "on the edge" in terms of the high voltage being just shy of the amount required to achieve breakdown.

Health Physics Society Update

Hmmmm?!?

http://hps.org/

Service Unavailable

Works for me...

Works for me...no problems.

The link directs to the Health Physics Society home page.

Cardiac Cesium Concerns

Au contraire mon frere,

A small excerpt from a LARGE body of information:

Radioactive Caesium and heart - pathophisiologic aspects

(Yuri Bandazhevsky) Minsk, 2001, UDC 612.014.482
Yu. I. Bandazhevsky. Radioactive caesium and heart (pathophisiologic aspects). Minsk.: «Belrad» 2001. - 59 pp. ISBN 985-434-080-5

Figure 1. Frequency of ECG modifications among the children in Gomel as the function of caseium accumulation in the organism.

The testing of children with average level of radioactive cesium accumulation – 100 Bq/kg, in Svetilovichi has manifested significant clinical signs. They were pain in heart area, quiet heart sounds and systolic murmur during the auscultation. The fact of combination of arrhythmias and impairments of oxidoreductive processes on the same electrocardiogram is noteworthy. It was observed that the level of radioactive cesium incorporation in this case was significantly higher than at the individual kinds of these modifications – 165,10±8,47 Bq/kg (children with arrhythmias – 84,61±9,29 Bq/kg, p<0,05).

UNSCEAR Reports

For health physics, one good place to start is with the UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) reports. For example, the UNSCEAR 2006 Summary says:

Paragraph 26: "The scientific data are also not at present sufficient to conclude that there is a causal relationship between exposure to ionizing radiation and the incidence of cardiovascular disease for doses of less than about 1–2 Gy."

Mark [BRAWM Team Member]

whether or not?

This appears to be extent of the cardiac discussion in the UNSCEAR report:

http://www.unscear.org/docs/reports/2008/11-80076_Report_2008_Annex_D.pdf

ANNEX D: HEALTH EFFECTS DUE TO RADIATION EFFECTS FROM THE CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT

More evidence is needed to conclude whether or not radiation exposure due to the Chernobyl accident has increased the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and associated mortality.

Page 63

http://www.unscear.org/docs/reports/2006/07-82087_Report_2006_Web.pdf

Heart Rending CONSEQUENCES

Only 3 ‘heart normal’ kids

ECG tracings REPRESENT “mainstream health physics”, IMHO

“Normal electrocardiogram was registered only in 3 children (1,9 %).”

http://www.enfants-tchernobyl-belarus.org/doku.php?id=base_documentaire:...

Radioactive caesium and heart (pathophisiologic aspects).
Yu. I. Bandazhevsky - Enfants of Tchernobyl Belarus Association Loi 1901 - Résidence "Les Jardins d'Emeraude" 28 B, rue de la République - appt 21 - 22770 LANCIEUX

Radioactive cesium accumulation was also registered in the organism of children of earlier ages and in their mothers (table 1). Electrocardiographic alterations were registered respectively in 98,1 and 90,3 % cases. They were introduced, mainly, by myocardium impairments and arrhythmias. In children the metabolic modifications of myocardium constituted 88,4 % (47,1 % - isolated and 41,3% - in combine with impairments of intraventricular conduction). Conduction impairments, introduced, mainly, by the incomplete blockage of the right bundle of His, were observed in 45,8 % of children. Normal electrocardiogram was registered only in 3 children (1,9 %).

Electrocardiographic modifications in mothers included also metabolic impairments and arrhythmias (disturbance of automatism and conduction). Hypocalcemia was being observed in 83,2 % of examined children, increasing of the activity alanin amino transferase was manifested in 39,5 % of children, asparate aminotransferase – in 74,6 %. These facts evidence about impairments of metabolic processes in liver and heart.

Accomplished researches have shown high sensitivity of the system mother – child to the influence of radioactive cesium. Relatively small amounts of the given radioisotope cause damaging of cardiac- vascular system of mother as well as a child, damaging its forming in the latter.

http://www.enfants-tchernobyl-belarus.org/lib/exe/detail.php?id=base_doc... Figure 1
http://www.enfants-tchernobyl-belarus.org/lib/exe/detail.php?id=base_doc... Figure 2
http://www.enfants-tchernobyl-belarus.org/lib/exe/detail.php?id=base_doc... Figure 3

P.S. Internet Citation:

Enfants of Tchernobyl Belarus

http://www.enfants-tchernobyl-belarus.org/doku.php?id=base_documentaire:...

Association Loi 1901 - Résidence "Les Jardins d'Emeraude" 28 B, rue de la République - appt 21 - 22770 LANCIEUX

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