Japan Atomic Crisis Reaches Chernobyl Level

Japan raised the severity rating of its nuclear crisis to the highest, matching the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, after increasing radiation prompted the government to widen the evacuation zone and aftershocks rocked the country.

Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency yesterday raised the rating to 7. The accident at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi plant previously was rated a 5 on the global scale, the same as the 1979 partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania.

Read more by clicking the link.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-04-12/japan-atomic-crisis-reaches-chernobyl-level-as-radiation-climbs.html

BNC Shipping Units to Japan

Company founder Mel Brown watches as Radiation Isotope Identifiers are loaded on truck for Tokyo.

David Brown - BNC.....Since 1963

Eagle-A Operating System Upgrade provides critical information for Food and Water Monitoring in Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan.

Berkeley Nucleonics is offering an upgrade to the SAM 940 Isotope Identifier for radionuclide identification of Cs-134, Cs-137 and I-131 to address a growing concern for screening meat, fish, eggs, milk, and water.

Eagle Operating System (EOS) includes specific features to identify radioactive contamination resulting from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant leak of radiation into the local environments. The upgrade allows an additional mode for less technical users to screen specific concerns without compromising analytical spectroscopy stored in the instrument memory. Furthermore, the firmware allows compliance with federal guidelines for contamination monitoring already in place.

Photo courtesy of www.globaldirt.org


The SAM Defender and SAM Revealer are the latest in a growing line of isotope identification technologies offered by Berkeley Nucleonics. Our Firmware update, Eagle–A, increases operational capabilities for current market conditions. The new category F/W, represents food and water and shows the presence of radiation in light blue peaks. Shown here is our SAM 940 Revealer with 3.5% resolution LaBr detectors. GPS data is also available and many users are posting live data online for general public considerations.

“The SAM 940 is a world-class isotope identifier. Our service and training programs are also coveted by a community of users with a variety of applications. Eagle-A is a reminder that Berkeley Nucleonics supports the changing needs of radiation measurements faster than anyone in the market, be it new medical isotopes, industrial isotopes or in this case, additional food and water screening”, comments David Brown, BNC President.

About the Company

BNC’s radiation detection products are popular for detection, dosimetry and isotope identification and in use by HazMat teams, firefighters, first responders, and border protection personnel. Analytical products offer real time medical, industrial, SNM and NORM nuclear isotope identification. From pager to portal, the company offers a program of radiation detection with a comprehensive approach to detection and disposition. Our cooperative efforts with numerous State and Federal agencies give BNC customers the confidence they need when developing radiation detection activities.

BNC offers an accredited training program which provides attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and techniques involved in radiation detection and isotope identification. This program also provides CEUs and can educate new and experienced users. Regional courses or on-site courses are available. Since 1963, BNC has been a pioneer in nuclear instrumentation.

Additional Information on EAGLE-A thresholds for Food and Water monitoring:
MDA for Radiation Detectors / Federal Guidelines



Eagle OS Features
-Data on Demand
-Export Capabilities
-ID Confidence Boost
-Enrichment Level
Discrimination (Uranium only)
-Color Coded ID
-Hands Free Calibration
-Library Enhancement
-GPS Gecko Compatibility

Eagle OS Applications
-GPS Mapping of Radiological Movement
-City Based Radiation Tracking
-PC-Link with SAM-Control software
-Doserate Data Dumps every Five Seconds
-Transportation Vehicle Live Monitoring
-DOE and DNDO Reachback File Types
-Confirm Medical Treatments using Reachback

Specifications
Communication Serial, Ethernet, Custom
File Types ANSI N42.42, User Defined
Spectrum Resolution Down to 3% at Cesium (662 keV)
Operating Temperatures -20 to +50 degree C
Power Options Vehicle, AC, Battery
Telemetry Cellular, WiFi, Radio

Berkeley Nucleonics Radiation Detection Products Used In Japan

In response to the Japanese nuclear power plant disaster, Berkeley Nucleonics has delivered 100's of radiation detectors to US and Japanese nationals who are working in and around the contaminated facility. We have donated numerous shipments and continue to provide around-the-clock support for end users and regional service and training centers. For a list of agents in Asia, please see our International Pull-Down Menu. The SAM Isotope Identifier has been updated with Eagle-A, a new firmware to quickly identify low levels of Cs-134, Cs-137 and I-131.

Click http://www.globaldirt.org/map/ to see the actual readings from our SAM 940 Isotope Identifier. This data was taken by a Global DIRT assessment team within 2km (1.2 miles) of the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant. Data was collected using a Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation SAM 940 Defender / Revealer. The map below represents only readings which contained isotope levels (about 451 of the 1654 current readings). Be sure to check back as this page will be constantly updated.

About Berkeley Nucleonics

BNC’s radiation detection products are popular for detection, dosimetry and isotope identification and in use by HazMat teams, firefighters, first responders, and border protection personnel. Analytical products offer real time medical, industrial, SNM and NORM nuclear isotope identification. From pager to portal, we understand detection and spectroscopy applications. BNC offers an accredited training program which provides attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and techniques involved in radiation detection and isotope identification. This program also provides CEUs and can educate new and experienced users. Regional courses or on-site, our trainers can deliver. Give us a call or try our Live Online Help…800-234-7858

Trace Radiation Levels from Japan detected by U.S. EPA RadNet System—

Albuquerque, New Mexico. April 1, 2011. During the past three years, EDi has maintained the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) RadNet system, which consists of more than 100 radiation-monitoring stations throughout the United States. Lately, these monitoring stations track and record the released radiation from the Fukushima Daichii Nuclear Power Plant severely damaged during the earthquake and tsunami that recently devastated Japan on March 11, 2011.
The RadNet Program, initially established to monitor radiation associated with nuclear weapons testing, was later expanded to include radiation levels during emergencies. For more than 30 years, RadNet has developed an important environmental radiation database used by the EPA and other federal agencies.
The RadNet mission is to monitor environmental radioactivity in the United States providing high quality data for assessing public exposure and environmental impacts resulting from nuclear emergencies and to provide baseline data during routine conditions. RadNet has three (3) specific objectives:

1. Provide data for nuclear emergency response assessments;
2. Provide data on ambient levels of radiation in the environment for baseline and trend analysis; and
3. Inform the general public and public officials.
EDi performs a variety of calibration, repair, and technical support services for the monitoring devices—both on site and at our San Antonio, TX service facility. Services include maintenance of the central processing unit (CPU), all telemetry and weather-monitoring subsystems, and sensors.

About EDi

Headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, EDi is a Small Business Administration (SBA) certified woman- and minority-owned small disadvantaged business entity with a strong reputation for providing quality technical environmental services. Recognized as an industry leader, EDi specializes in the detection, identification, characterization, and decontamination of hazardous and radioactive environments. Founded in 1990, EDi began by providing radiological and industrial hygiene support services to Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories and has since expanded its capabilities and market areas. Today, EDi has offices in New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C.

For more information about EPA’s RadNet program, visit: http://www.epa.gov/japan2011/

For more information about EDi and the Radcon Services we provide, visit: http://www.edi-nm.com

An Overview of X-Ray Spectroscopy

The purpose of this book is to discuss X-ray microanalysis and computer-aided imaging at a level that promotes an understanding beyond merely “how-to” texts, but without overwhelming the reader with volume or complexity. No attempt is made to replace a full textbook for either technique. Rather, this volume is meant to be an introduction for newcomers to the fields and a reference for experienced microscopists to be reviewed as needed. More in-depth texts and articles, which include derivations of the mathematical relationships, are given as references for those who desire such information. Several tables and diagrams of relevant information are provided for quick reference.

http://www.berkeleynucleonics.com/resources/MicroscopyBook.pdf

Singapore Government Suspends Import of Food from Japan

AVA SUSPENDS IMPORT OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FROM KANTO REGION IN JAPAN
Detection of radioactive contaminants in another two samples of vegetables from Japan
Radioactive contaminants have been detected in another two samples of vegetables from Japan. The contaminated samples were imported from the prefectures of Kanagawa and Tokyo. In addition, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare had reported the detection of high radioactivity levels in some vegetables from Saitama.
2. In view of the latest developments, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) will extend its suspension on the import of fruits and vegetables to include the prefectures of Kanagawa, Tokyo and Saitama. This means the entire Kanto Region of Japan is now suspended from exporting fruits and vegetables to Singapore as AVA had earlier suspended the Kanto prefectures of Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma and Chiba.
Status of suspension of Japan food imports
3. The status of our suspension of food imports from Japan as at 26 Mar 2011 is as follows:
Source
Item
Fukushima, Ibaraki*, Tochigi* and Gunma*
Milk, milk products, seafood, meat, fruits and vegetables
Ehime, Chiba*, Kanagawa*, Tokyo* and Saitama*
Fruits and vegetables
* Prefectures in the Kanto Region
Food imports from Japan subjected to “hold-and-test”
4. Since 25 Mar 2011, all consignments of fruits and vegetables, seafood, meat, milk and milk products imported from Japan have been subjected to hold-and-test. This means that the products will only be released for sale when test results show that there is no radioactive contamination. If radioactive contaminants are detected in any sample, the affected shipment will be disposed.
Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore 5 Maxwell Road #04-00 Tower Block MND Complex Singapore 069110 Fax: (65) 62235383

Updates on test results
5. To date, 287 samples of fruits and vegetables, seafood, meat, milk and milk products have been tested. The latest results of samples collected from shipments imported on 25 and 26 Mar 2011 showed that radioactive contaminants were found in the following two samples of vegetables :
Item (Source)
Detection levels
Iodine-131
Cesium-134
Cesium-137
Cabbage (Kanagawa)
936bq/kg
242bq/kg
474bq/kg
Leek (Tokyo)
226bq/kg
-
-
* Becquerel (bq) is a measurement of radioactivity levels. The Codex guidelines for radionuclides in food (other than infant food) for Iodine 131 is 100 bq/kg, Cesium 134 is 1000 bq/kg and Cesium 137 is 1000 bq/kg.
** Test results are provided by the Health Sciences Authority’s Applied Sciences Group
No cause for alarm for consumers
6. Food imported from Japan that is available in the market is safe for consumption. There is no cause for concern for consumers as the affected consignments have not been released for sale under our “hold-and-test” surveillance programme.
7. AVA will continue to closely monitor and test food imports from Japan.
8. The public could visit the Japan Earthquake microsite at www.gov.sg (www.gov.sg/japanquake) for latest updates and information from the authorities. They could also visit AVA site at www.ava.gov.sg.
Issued by Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority
On 26 Mar 2011

ANNEX A
Source : http://mapsof.net/japan/static-maps/png/regions-and-prefectures-of-japan