IAEA reporting huge jump in radiation numbers

[cstaylor]

Radiation 1600 times normal detected ~20km from Fukushima Daiichi NPS

EDIT: The IAEA website is unclear on where these values were collected and when

[ttjereth]

:three:

http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/p/tp-20110320-02.html

Farther from the reactor site, radiation monitoring by the Japanese government, U.S. government assets, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) all indicate that levels of radiation measured in Tokyo as well as Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures remain at background levels, well below levels which are dangerous to human health. The Japanese Ministry of Education, Science and Technology is providing regular updated radioactivity measurements by prefecture, available online here. This data appears consistent with measurements generated by WHO, the IAEA and the U.S. government. WHO information is available at www.wpro.who.int and IAEA data at www.iaea.org. U.S. government experts have also continuously monitored radiation levels on Embassy grounds since March 14, using sophisticated radiation detection meters including high-volume pump samplers that collect information on a 24-hour basis. We have consistently observed normal background levels of radiation.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Travel Health Precaution as of March 19 states that "At this time, the risk of exposure to radiation and the risk of contamination from radioactive materials are believed to be low, especially for anyone outside a 50-mile radius of the nuclear power plant." See www.cdc.gov for details. The United States government will continue to monitor the situation closely and will advise its citizens of any significant developments.

http://www.mext.go.jp/english/radioactivity_level/detail/1303962.htm

[cstaylor]

Man, even Kyodo is getting in on the scaremongering. If the numbers are from yesterday then the increase has already been registered down this way.

[Greji]

Man, even Kyodo is getting in on the scaremongering. If the numbers are from yesterday then the increase has already been registered down this way.

As has been pointed out in many other threads, the media has an erection every time any bad news is announced, or even indicated. Death, fear and suffering sells. Good news is only reluctantly reported.

[cstaylor]

As has been pointed out in many other threads, the media has an erection every time any bad news is announced, or even indicated. Death, fear and suffering sells. Good news is only reluctantly reported.

Foreign media, sure, but media inside Japan? That's just irresponsible.

[omae mona]

Bear in mind this is 20km away from the plant, even if it's true. By contrast, all my live hourly readings from around the web indicate absolutely no change whatsoever in radiation levels further away (I checked Ibaraki and Tokyo).

[Greji]

Foreign media, sure, but media inside Japan? That's just irresponsible.

The Japanese media is somewhat (keyword somewhat) better. But, as with all media, the bad news sells is their best approach.

[Coligny]

The Japanese media is somewhat (keyword somewhat) better. But, as with all media, the bad news sells is their best approach.

They should try porn... it flies of the shelves waaayyy faster...

NEWSFLASH: Criminal Fureigner was hoarding goats in what can now be called the Harem of horrors, report live with amateur video footage found in his archives...

You won't get a pullitzer for this... but cash will flow...

[Greji]

You won't get a pullitzer for this... but cash will flow...

Not unless you purchase a VIP seat ticket to the Harem first......