BRAWM Team: Are You Collecting Rainwater Samples & Testing (Oct 2011)????
It has been raining almost all week long in the San Francisco East Bay Area. As I type, rainwater is pouring down outside.
Are you testing for "evil spirits" in our rainwater this week? If not, WHY not? We need to know what is coming down. Do we need to shower and wash our clothes each time we dash around outside? Is it safe for our pets to dash outside to go potty...or do we need to bathe them each time they come back inside? Just wondering...
Posted by: Gardening Gal
We did not collect any
We did not collect any rainwater this week. The major releases from the reactors settled out of the atmosphere months ago (e.g., our air and rainwater tests from March–July). Basically, if we tested we wouldn't see anything.
However, we do still have the capability to test rainwater. If it would give folks some peace of mind, we can collect some rain during the next storm and test it.
Mark [BRAWM Team Member]
yes please!
Once or twice a year on rainwater would be great! As everyone else in the world (including authorities that used to post regular results on rainwater) has stopped posting results. thank you...
a test or two more--or even
a test or two more--or even intermittently through the end of the year--would bring more peace of mind. i too worry about the burning of radioactive crops and waste in japan, even though we likely should see nothing on the scale of the initial bursts. thank you BRAWM!
Yes, if you could collect
Yes, if you could collect some rain during the next storm I would really
appreciate it. I've got little kids who love to play in the rain.....
Testing Rain Water???
Are you testing our rainwater?
Gardening Gal- Just FYI I
Gardening Gal-
Just FYI I have been corresponding with a gentleman near your location who has a pretty sensitive set-up (not near as good as BRAWM, obviously). He has detected some radiation in rainfall at times, and also "dry deposition"/dust.
It all has had a very short half life...this means it is radon/thoron daughters (natural).
He has sampled the recent rainfall and if there's anything from Fukushima, he is not seeing it.
I too would like to see the BRAWM team test rainfall a couple more times, but these other measurements made me feel better.
Thank You, BC
Thank you, BC. You did ease my mind. I have young grandchildren that I transport multiple times daily...from their home to school (Kindergarten & Toddler program) ...from school to my home...and back to their home. There is just no way to keep them totally dry. Their clothing (and mine) gets wet...and so do their carseats. Carseats can't be washed in a washing machine!
I've always loved the rain...walking in it...breathing the freshness of the air after a rainstorm. Also, young children find every puddle in the vicinity! It is terrible to fear the rain. We need to know that it is safe to venture outside on rainy days.
I agree it would be nice to
I agree it would be nice to have confirmation from BRAWM. With Dai-ichi still emitting, burning of wastes in Japan, possible funky wind patterns and who knows what else, it would be comforting to have ongoing intermittent testing this year. Otherwise, I feel I have to assume the worst. As they say, better safe than sorry.
Yes, please, if you could
Yes, please, if you could continue to monitor rainwater, it would help to ease continuing concerns! Thanks so much!