Parallel Measurement of Ambient and Individual External Radiation in Iitate Village, Fukushima

Abstract

This report is based on a survey we conducted in March-June 2017 to measure radiation levels in Iitate Village after the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. Six NPO members including two evacuees who returned after the evacuation order was lifted in April 2017 took part in the study. Each participant worked in the area each day, carrying an ambient radiation measuring device, two personal radiation measuring devices, and a GPS receiver to record their movement and compare ambient and individual external doses. No matter where they were, results showed that for those taking the same daily route for the same amount of time, the individual dose was about 11~30% lower than that of the ambient dose; the ratio of ambient to individual external dose was 100 to 70-89. Further measurement and additional data are needed to protect the health of villagers, and to identify areas that require further decontamination.