Atmospheric radionuclides transported to Fukuoka, Japan remote from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power complex following the nuclear accident

Radionuclides were detected from the Fukushima nuclear accident at Fukuoka, Japan, 1000 km west of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power complex. Iodine-131 was first detected 3 d after the accident, indicating that it was probably transported dispersively because of local meteorological conditions, and not global air circulation. The maximum concentrations, 5.07 mBq m(-3) for I-131, 4.04 mBq m(-3) for Cs-134, and 4.12 mBq m(-3) for Cs-137, were recorded in particles collected on April 6, 2011. However, these concentration levels decreased below the detection limit by April 26, 2011. Gaseous I-131 accounted for 30%-67% of the total I-131 content. The increase in dose by inhalation was negligible at Fukuoka. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.