The DOST-PNRI continues to closely monitor the situation at the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
With AC power connected, instrumentation continues to be recovered in Units 1, 2, and 4. Workers returned after being evacuated from Units 3 and 4 on March 23, following confirmation that black smoke emissions from Unit 3 had ceased.
According to the IAEA, the overall dose rates reported on-site appeared to be trending downward from 1,930 to 210 microsieverts per hour between 21 to 23 March 2011.
Japanese authorities continue to monitor the level of radioactivity in food and water and the distribution of contaminated food has been restricted/banned for consumption.
Monitoring at 30-km offshore from Fukushima by ships of the Japanese Authorities showed, as of 24 March 2011, that surface seawater concentrations ranged from 24.9 to 76.8 becquerels per liter (Bq/l) of Iodine-131, and 11.2 to 24.1 Bq/l for Cesium-137. The maximum permissible concentrations in water are 40 Bq/l for Iodine-131 and 90 Bq/l for Cesium-137.
There are internationally agreed Codex Guideline Levels (GLs) for radionuclide levels in internationally traded food following a nuclear or radiological emergency. These GLs are published by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Codex Alimentarius Commission. Food with radioactivity levels below these GLs is safe for people to eat. When the GLs are exceeded, national governments must decide whether and under what circumstances the food should be allowed to be distributed within their territory or jurisdiction.
The DOST-PNRI continues to closely monitor the situation at the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The situation remains serious but stable with some progress in restoring electrical power and instrumentation.
According to the IAEA, there has been little change in reported radiation levels on-site since 22 March 2011. The deposition of Iodine-131 and Cesium-137 varies across some 10 Prefectures from day to day, but the trend is generally upward. In contrast, environmental radiation monitoring data in the Fukushima Prefecture outside the 20-km evacuation zone shows mostly decreasing values.
Radioactive iodine has been detected in Tokyo tap water in levels above the limit for infants but below the level for adults. The Tokyo Metropolitan government says 210 becquerels of Iodine-131 were detected on Tuesday in one liter of water at one of its purification plants in northern Tokyo. This level is above the 100-becquerel limit for infants. Tokyo says infants in the central 23 wards, plus 5 adjacent cities, should refrain from drinking tap water. It is also urging beverage makers in these areas not to use tap water in infants drinks. Japanese authorities added that the safety level assumes long-term consumption, and that there is no risk to health if tap water is consumed over a short period.
The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (DOH-FDA) in coordination with the DOST-PNRI briefed importers of food products and raw materials from Japan regarding the random sampling procedures to check the level of contamination of said imported items; analysis will be done by the DOST-PNRI.
There is continuous screening for radioactivity of container vans and cargo from abroad using radiation portal monitors at the Port of Manila.
For the latest information, please access the following websites:
Contrary to some media reports, the DOST-PNRI is not recommending the routine screening for radioactivity of travelers from Japan and other countries abroad.
No abnormal amount of radioactivity was found on travelers from Japan who requested scanning from the PNRI.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), travelers returning from Japan who have come from beyond the 20-km evacuation zone surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant and who have undergone proper screening and decontamination procedures in Japan, and travelers from all other areas, do not pose a radioactive health risk to others and do not require screening.
The DOST-PNRI continues to closely monitor the situation at the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
Japanese recovery operations are continuing and meeting some successes including restoration of grid power to Units 1, 2, 5, and 6. Further large releases of radioactivity remain unlikely to happen.
The Japanese government is considering relevant precautionary measures and instructed four Prefectures around the nuclear power plants namely Ibaraki, Gunma, Tochigi, and Fukushima to refrain from distributing two types of vegetables (spinach and kakina) from these Prefectures and milk from Fukushima.
Radiation levels in major Japanese cities have not changed significantly and remain below those which are dangerous to human health.
Discussion among government agencies headed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), DOST, PNRI, National Dairy Authority (NDA), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has begun in order to address the concern of the public regarding imported food items from Japan. The PNRI will continue to conduct radioactivity measurements in food as needed.
Portal monitors previously installed in the Port of Manila are already scanning container vans for radioactivity.
For the latest information on on-site and off-site radiological situations about the Fukushima accident, please access the following websites:
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) website (www.iaea.org); and
For reporting of nuclear/radiological emergencies, you may contact the Radiological Impact Assessment Section/Nuclear Response Support Center of the PNRI through (632) 929-6011 to 19 local 285 or 311
