RADIOACTIVITY SURVEY DATA M Janan
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NIRS-RSD-39 RADIOACTIVITY SURVEY DATA m janan NUMBER 39 Sept. 1974 National Institute of Radiological Sciences Chiba, Japan Radioactivity Survey Data in Japan Number 39 Sept. 1974 Contents THE SURVEY RESULTS OF THE 16TH NUCLEAR EXPLOSION TEST CARRIED OUT BY THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Page Preface 1 1. The 16th Chines Nuclear Test 2 2. Daily Record of Action taken against Radioactivity from the 16th Chinese Nuclear Test 2 3. Points of Understanding reached at the Executive Level Meeting of the Headquarters for Countermeasures against Radioactivity 3 4. The Results of Investigations in connection with the 16th Chinese Nuclear Test 4 5. The Microbarographic Disturbances and Upper Atmospheric Weather Chart 14 6. Chinese Nuclear Tests and Their Effects upon Japan 17 7. Concerning Provisional Index for Countermeasures against Radioactivity 23 Science and Technology Agency National Institute of Radiological Science THE SURVEY RESULTS OF THE 16TH NUCLEAR EXPLOSION TEST CARRIED OUT BY THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Preface This edition is provided for the radioactivity survey results of fallout by the 16th Chinese nuclear explosion test. The 17th of June in 1974, The people's Republic of China carried out the 16th nuclear explosion test. Concerning this test, atmospheric disturbance was observed at the nation-wide meteorological observatories. The scale of this explosion was equivalent to TNT 1 megatone. Fallout radioactivity measurement of this tests was carried out at the nation-wide radioactivity survey stations from the 18th to the 25th of June. Meantime, comparatively high radioactivity was measured, i.e., 1603pCi/m3 of beta radioactivity in upper air at Western Area and no especially significant levels were recorded of radioactivity iodine in milk. The radioacivity survey results of this test were considerably lower than the values in che provisional guide of radioacitivty countermeasures established by Radioactivity Countermeasures Headquarters. (1) The 16th Chinese Nuclear Test normal figures. Effects thought to be of the nuclear test were noticed at moni (1) The Indian Atomic Energy Commission an toring posts in one prefectural area. No nounced the Chinese nuclear test on 17 June 1974 especially significant changes were as follows: "At 6 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time, noticed in the observed levels of radio China conducted a nuclear test in the atmosphere activity in rain-out and ground-level of the order of one megaton at Lop Nor .in the dust Sinkiang- Wiegel (phonetic) autonomous region." 21 June: Radioac'rtivtty in the upper atmospheric (6 a.m. GMT is 3 p.m. Japanese time.) particles in the western and central (2) On 17 June the United States Atomic Energy regions was the same as the previous Commission (AEC) announced: "At about 2 a.m. day. In the rain-out and dust, effects (EGA) on 17 June at the Lop Nor test site China became apparent in Western Japan. carried out a weapons test in the atmosphere. Its 22 June: Radioactivity levels in rain and dust scale was between 200kilotons and 1 megaton." were returning to normal. Particles in (3) The Meteorological Agency, acting on these suspension continued to show the same reports, carried out investigations to assemble data raioacitivity. of abnormalities in atmospheric pressure at all 23 June: Upper atmospheric particles collected in observation posts but was unable to verify abnor the western region on the 19th were mal variations or oscillation in the atmospheric subjected to Gamma ray spectrometer pressure. analysis in a Ge (Li) semiconductor testing instrument at the Technical Daily Record of Action taken against Radioactivi Research Headquarters of the Self- ty from the 16th Chinese Nuclear Test Defence Agency. The results of tests 17 June: The Indian Atomic energy Commission revealed that the particles came from a announced on 17 June that China had nuclear test explosion and that they 239 carried out a 1 megaton nuclear test in included NP, "MO-"TC. the atmosphere at Lop Dor at 3 p.m. 24 June: Tests at the Niigata Prefectural Pollu (Japan time). tion and Sanitation Research Laborato 18 June: The Headquarters for Countermeasures ry showed radioacitvity some ten times against Radioactivity called the 90th normal levels in the dust and rain water executive meeting at the special con after the rain which fell from the 23rd ference room in the Science and Te to the 24th. Also as a result of gamma chnology Agency from 10.30 a.m. It ray spec if o meter analysis in an Na I (Tl) decided to establish the radioactivity scintillation instrument it was reported surveillance system for the period from that particles from a nuclear test explo 239 the time the test was conducted. sion, including Np, "Mo - "Tc, 19 June: Particles collected at 3 a.m. in the were detected. Radioactivity in upper Western region (Tsuiki-Kumamoto- atmospheric particles and in rain-out nyutabaru-Tsuiki) at 35,000 feet and dust was returning to normal levels. showed a radio-activity reading well 25 June: From 2 p.m. the 91st executive meeting above normal. At 9 a.m. on the same of the HCR met in the fourth confer day, other particles from the upper ence room of the Science and Technolo atmosphere showed the same levels of gy Agency and discussed what further radioactivity. investigations were needed to check on 20 June: The radioactivity in the upper atmos radioactivity arising from this Chinese pheric particles collected at 30,000 feet nuclear test. Since particles in suspen at 12:00 and 17:00 hours on the 19th in sion in the upper atmosphere and at the Western region (same flight path as ground level had almost entirely retur above) fell to levels some 10 times the ned to normal levels of radioactivity, it (2) was decided that the surveillance system (d) Checking ot rainout and fallout dust was would revert back to normal operations to be conducted daily at 30 places in various and all authorities concerned would be prefectures, 13 stations of the Meteorological so informed, unless some unusual levels Agency, as well as at the General Institute of of radioactivity were detected that day. Medical Radiation from that day onward for as long a period as was considered necessary. 3. Points of Understanding reached at the Executive (e) Analysis of nuclear particles was to be Level Meeing of the Headquarters for Counter- pursed by chemical and mechanical methods at measures against Radioacitivity the Meteorological Agency, the Self Defence Agen cy, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the (1) The 90th Executive Level Meeting: IS June General Institute of Medical Radiation, etc. 1974 The Headquarters for countermeasures against Radioactivity held the 90th Executive Level Meet ing at the conference room of the Science and (2) The 91st Executive Level Meeting: 25 June Technology Agency at 10:30 a.m. on 18 June, and 1974 countermeasures against radioactivity in connec The Headquarters for Countermeasures tion with the Chinese nuclear explosion test against Radioactivity called the 91st Executive conducted on 17 June were discussed. Level Meeting at 2 p.m. on 25 June, and discussed It was predicted that the effects of the nuclear about the countermeasures against radioactivity test would appear from 19 that an investigation to concerning the Chinese nuclear test. check radioactivity should be conducted as set (a) The effects of the 16th Chinese nuclear out below and that a close watch on the moveme test upon Japan started to appear after 19 June nts of the results of the investigation should be causing an increase in the radioactivity reading in mainteined. the high altitude and ground level suspended dust It was further decided that Executive Level and in rainout, however, after that, the radioachvi- Meetings would be held as often as required, and ty count decreased to near the normal reading as that the next meeting would be held at 2 p.m. on shown by the tests conducted on 24 June. 25 June. As far as the effects of radioactivity from Investigation Procedures the nuclear test on human beings was concerned, it (a) For the investigation of floating dust at was considered that there were no problems. The the high altitudes of 6,000 to 12,000 metres, the readings taken were comparatively low in com- Self Defence Agency was to carry out checks parision with the provisional index. several times per day from that day for as long a period as seemed necessary, over the northern, central and western districts of Japan. (b) Monitoring posts to carry out checks were to be established at two stations operated by the Meteorological Agency and by 18 prefectural stations. (c) Checks on dust suspended at ground level were to be conducted daily at five Meteorological Agency stations and at the General Institute of Medical Radiation from that day for as long a period as was considered necessary. (3) 4. The Results of Investigation in connection with the 16th Chinese Nuclear Test (1) Gross Beta-Radioactivity in Rain and Dry places in various prefectures by Japan Meteorologi Fallout cal Agency, as well as at National Institute of Checking of Gross Beta-Radioactivity in Rain Radioligical Sciences. The results are as follows. and Dry Fallout was to be conducted daily at 30 Table 1. Gross Beta-Radioactivity in Rain and Dry Fallout (Japan Meteorological Agency) Upper row: Concentration (pCi/cm3) Lower row: Deposition (mCi/Km1) "^"~—-^^^ Date June 1974 Station""-—^^ 17~18 18-19 19~20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23~24 24~25 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Wakkanai - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 - - 0.1 0.2 0.0 Sapporo - 0.4 - 1.0 0.0 - - - 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 Kushiro - - - 0.0 0.0 3.0 1.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 Sendai - 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 Akita - - 0.0 0.0 - 4.0 0.3 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 Tokyo - - - 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 Hachijojima - - - 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 Wajima - • 0.0 0.0 - - 0.0 - - 0.1 0.1 0.1 Osaka - - 5.0 - 5.0 - 1.0 - 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.2 Yonago - 0.0 - 4.0 0.0 - 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 Murotomisaki - - - 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.9 - Fukuoka 0.1 0.1 - - - 2.0 0.2 - - - 0.1 0.0 0.1 Kagoshima 0.0 0.1 7.0 0.0 - 0.4 0.0 - 0.2 - Notes: 1.