Great East Japan Earthquake Information Page

• Japanese

The National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) continue to extend our sincerest sympathies to all the victims of the disaster, and have, since March 29, been contributing to recovery efforts as the Disaster Rescue and Recovery Headquarters on the three fronts of - disaster waste management measures; cooperation with local environmental research institutes; and timely and appropriate information provision.

For disaster waste in particular, we have both established a network of experts and researchers who collate specialized knowledge and provide help on technical fronts, and dispatched our researchers directly to the disaster zone. We actively disseminate technical information based on the up-to-the-minute situation and needs of those concerned while liaising with the Ministry of the Environment and local authorities to execute effective disaster waste management.

The purpose of the below page is to introduce the initiatives which our institute is undertaking towards rescue and recovery efforts for the disaster. We hope to continue to provide thorough information and humbly entreat your full support and cooperation in these endeavors.

Ⅰ. News and Updates

Ⅱ. NIES Initiatives

At NIES we are endeavoring to contribute to the various issues associated with the Great East Japan Disaster on environmental research fronts utilizing our network of researchers.

Below we introduce the content of the various initiatives currently being undertaken.

1. Appropriate treatment and disposal of disaster waste and waste contaminated by radioactive substances
2. Tsukuba City Radioactive Materials and Radiation
3. Environmental information media, Kankyo Tenboudai (“Information Platform for Environmental Outlook”)

１．Appropriate treatment and disposal of disaster waste and waste contaminated by radioactive substances

1. Countermeasures for disaster waste

In order to deal with the issues associated with the large volumes of disaster waste generated in the earthquake and Tsunami of March 11, 2011, the “Disaster Response Network”, comprising specialists in relevant fields, was created immediately following the disaster. This network collects and manages information and know-how in response to the various technical issues arising, and drafts and provides a range of technical information to support on-site response by the Ministry of the Environment and local authorities in the disaster zone. These include methodologies for the treatment of waste containing saline matter; dealing with Tsunami deposits; and prevention of fires in flammable waste at temporary disposal sites.

Technical information provided to specialists and local authorities on disaster waste (Japanese only)

In addition, NIES carried out emergency studies and research - including those on the appropriate treatment of rubble covered by seawater; Tsunami deposits; and prevention of fires in temporary disposal sites. These were subsequently reflected in directives of the Ministry of the Environment. We also dispatched researchers to the patrol teams organized by the Ministry of the Environment and implemented studies and provided technical counsel for specific topics such as the prevention of fires in temporary disposal sites, etc.

2. Countermeasures for waste contaminated by radioactive substances

We have made optimal use of our know-how, experience and networks in the field of waste management research in order to deal with the issues associated with the treatment and disposal of the large volumes and varieties of waste contaminated by radioactive substances and which are spread over large areas. We continue to implement field studies and research on the appropriate treatment and disposal of waste contaminated with radioactive Cesium, including those covering: physical characteristics and prediction of combustion dynamics; adsorption capacity assessments for soil, etc; modeling and predictions for land-fill sites and layer dynamics; assessment of treatment technologies for contaminated leachate; and standardization of measurement and analysis methods.

The know-how and outcomes resulting from these studies and activities were provided in a timely fashion to the Ministry of the Environment’s Disaster Waste Safety Evaluation Committee and are being used in technical standards and guidelines based on the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Handling of Radioactive Pollution.

In addition, the outcomes of these various initiatives have been summarized in the technical document “Proper treatment of wastes contaminated by radioactive substances”. We have made this document available on our homepage alongside an easily-understandable overview. This document is being actively applied by the central government, local authorities, and stakeholders in related enterprises.

Technical information provided to specialists and local authorities on disaster waste

2. Tsukuba City Radioactive Materials and Radiation

Measurement of atmospheric radioactive materials in collaboration with the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK)

Since the afternoon of March 15, we have measured the types and densities of atmospheric radioactive materials in Tsukuba City in collaboration with the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) who are also based in Tsukuba City.

We take atmospheric samples on the NIES grounds using an instrument called a High Volume Air Sampler (pictured) This instrument has a pallflex fiber filter for catching particles in the atmosphere and an activated fiber filter for capturing gaseous particles. The High Energy Accelerator Research Organization then analyses the materials captured using these filters.

The measurement results which have been achieved to date are disseminated via the homepage of the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, with new data being constantly updated. Both parties will continue this work to ensure the accurate measurement and dissemination of data.

See: Radioactive material measurements (High Energy Accelerator Research Organization Homepage) | http://www.kek.jp/intra-e/

Measurement method

Atmospheric sampling is carried out continuously over a period of 2 days per session, equivalent to an atmospheric pressure of 850-1700m3. The effects of these materials are established with the aid of the wind - as such a slightly raised vantage point is chosen. The pallflex fiber filter is in the part shown in the picture which the person is handling. The activated carbon filter is found in the cylinder portion of the device.

The atmosphere passes in order from the upper portion of the instrument, through the pallflex fiber filter and then the activated carbon filter so that the materials in the atmosphere can be captured. (Picture 2)

Explanation and background to this measurement

Radioactive materials are carried through the atmosphere on the wind. At a relative close proximity to the nuclear facilities, high levels of radiation were measured especially in the rubble created by the explosions. Meanwhile, any radiation measured in the environment has not arrived directly from the effected facilities, but is rather in the form of radioactive materials carried through the atmosphere on the wind.

Keys to the proper interpretation of information

Radioactivity means materials have the potential to emit radiation. However, in the case of radioactive leaks radiation indicates that radioactive materials have left the facilities themselves. The key to interpreting the data is in being able to distinguish between radiation, radioactivity, and radioactive materials.

Also “hourly radiation level” (dose rate) data cannot be directly compared with “a single radiation dose level” as might be experienced at a medical check-up, but it is rather appropriate to compare this aggregate over the time period in which exposure occurred. (Fukushima Prefecture, Integrated Dose Data: http://www.mext.go.jp/english/)

It is also important to distinguish between a radiation dose from outside the body originating from radioactive materials in the environment (external exposure) and radiation from radioactive materials which have been taken into the body by means of inhalation or ingestion (internal exposure).

Importance of directly measuring the radioactive materials in the atmosphere having considered the influence of internal exposure

NIES has carried out environmental sampling using a high-volume air sampler. After collecting the gases and nanoparticles in the atmosphere and measuring the variety and strength of the radioactive materials in these samples, calculations using the compiled data are made by the High Energy Accelerator Research Center (KEK).

It is important to directly sample the radioactive materials in the environment, and that the consolidated data takes into account the influence of internal exposure. Many institutions present results purporting to be measurements of atmospheric radiation, however, this is not radiation in the atmosphere but also includes radiation from radioactive materials on the ground.

Measuring radiation in collaboration with educational facilities in Tsukuba City

On May 27, in response to a request from the Tsukuba city authorities, NIES began to collaborate in the measurement of radiation levels in 132 places in schools throughout the city. These efforts benefited from the participation of 13 experts from the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK); the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST); Tsukuba University; and the National Institute for Material Sciences (NIMS).

NIES dispatched two of its employees to assist in the undertaking, in addition to lending two devices for the measurement of radiation. Tsukuba cities nursery, kindergarten and primary schools were divided into 13 groups and the levels of radiation in schoolyards etc, was measured.

3. Environmental information media, Kankyo Tenboudai (“Information Platform for Environmental Outlook”)

NIES administers the Kankyo Tenboudai service, an environmental media by means of which disaster information of environmental relevance provided by the central government and so on, can be searched.

A searchable database for disaster information of environmental relevance: Kankyo Tenbodai (Japanese Only)| http://tenbou.nies.go.jp/

Ⅲ. Disaster information sources

(ⅰ)Radiation

1) Radiation levels

- Measurement data for radiation levels around the nuclear power facility

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) | http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/index-e.html

- Observation data for spatial distribution of doses per region

Ministry of the Environment | http://housyasen.taiki.go.jp/ (JAPANESE ONLY)
Ministry of Education, Sports, Science and Technology | http://www.mext.go.jp/english/
Monitoring Information of environmental radioactivity level | http://radioactivity.mext.go.jp/en/
Monitoring data for Ibaraki prefecture (14:00 September 15, 2011) | http://radioactivity.mext.go.jp/en/monitoring_by_prefecture_environmental_radioactivity_
level_ibaraki/2011/09/13737/index.html

- Tsukuba Research Institutions

National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology | http://www.aist.go.jp/index_en.html
High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) | http://www.kek.jp/intra-e/
Japan Atomic Energy Agency | http://www.jaea.go.jp/english/index.shtml

- Dose projections, including internal exposure

Nuclear Safety Commission | http://www.nsc.go.jp/NSCenglish/index.htm
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) |
http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/focus/fukushima/

2) Waterworks and waterways radiation

Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare | http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/topics/2011eq/index.html

3) Wind direction and speed

Atmospheric Environmental Regional Observation System : AEROS (Japanese only) | http://soramame.taiki.go.jp/

4) Radiation and nuclear basics

Science Media Center of Japan | http://smc-japan.org/eng/
National Institute of Radiological Science | http://www.nirs.go.jp/ENG/index.html
Japan Chemical Analysis Center (Japanese only) | http://www.jcac.or.jp/
Environmental Radioactivity and Radiation in Japan |
http://www.kankyo-hoshano.go.jp/en/index.html

(ⅱ)Disaster Waste

1） Ministry of the Environment | http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/110603.html

Cabinet Office, Government of Japan | http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/incident/index.html

2） Academic, etc.

Japan Society of Material Cycles and Waste Management | http://jsmcwm.or.jp/international/
Science Council of Japan | http://www.scj.go.jp/en/index.html; http://www.scj.go.jp/en/report/shinsai.html

3） Other

Science Council of Japan | http://www.scj.go.jp/en/report/shinsai.html
Society for Risk Analysis of Japan | http://www.sra-japan.jp/cms/
Japan Society of Civil Engineers (Japanese only) | http://jsce.jp/pro/