Abstract

Radiation mapping of school routes by using vehicle installed dosimeter
Track: Health and Human Services
Authors: Yugo Shobugawa, Reiko Saito, Takuji Izumikawa, Tsubasa Suzuki, Makoto Naito, David Shepard, Yoh Kawano, Jun Goto, Yoshihiro Amaya

On March 11, 2011, a large-scale earthquake occurred in northern Japan (magnitude 9.1) followed by a disastrous explosion at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. As of October 2011, more than 40% of the residents of Minamisoma City, located 10-20 miles from the nuclear power plant, were unable to return to their homes due to fears of radioactive contamination. Focusing on school routes, a radiation monitoring survey was conducted along several roads within Minamisoma City. Positional data was recorded from GPS units and merged with radiation dose values collected every second from a vehicle-installed dosimeter system. With the aid of geographic information systems (GIS), a radiation risk map was created from collected data. The resulting GIS map provides a valuable tool used to visualize collected radiation data and serves as a quick-glance guide to the safety of area school districts. This map is also useful for decontamination planning and long-term recovery.