Environmental Radiation Monitoring

Index Current Data Tables Graphs Map Additional Information To Oarai

Airborne Radiation Meteorology Radioactivity & Radiation Rainfall & Radiation FAQ

Airborne Radiation

In order to monitor whether there are any effects due to radiation from its activities, the amount of the radiation is continously measured in the environment using monitoring station/posts installed inside and outside the site.
This environmental radiation which is measured is the airborne radiation in units of uGy/h (micrograys per hour).

Monitoring Station
Monitoring Station
Radiation Surrounding Us

In our every day lives, we are constantly receiving radiation. The amount of radiation received by a person's body is expressed in units of mSv (milliSieverts). This radiation comes from cosmic rays from space, from earth, and from natural radioactive substances in food. This radiation amounts to about 1.1 mSv per person per year. (Excluding radiation from naturally occurring radon, 1.3mSv/y).
Radiation Surrounding Us
Besides this, radiation is received from other sources such as from hospital x-ray examinations and from nuclear power plant operations. This type of radiation is called man-made radiation.

Natural Radiation Levels Depending Upon Location

How much radiation we receive depends upon where we are. For example, in Japan, the amount of radiation in the Kansai area is generally higher than in the Kanto area. This is due to differences in the earth's composition.
If a person were to move from Tokyo to Osaka, that person would come to receive 0.17mSv more radiation per year, however this would have absolutely no ill effects. Nuclear power plants have established a goal of releasing no more than 0.05 mSv per year; this is lower than what would be obtained by moving from Tokyo to Osaka.
The map of Japan
Also, the amount of radiation received from cosmic rays depends upon elevation. For example, if a person were to stand on the peak of Mt. Fuji, that person would receive five times more radiation than when standing at ground level.


Back