Japan is poor in conventional energy resources. It is dependent on coal, oil and natural gas imports for the majority of its power generation. Nuclear power was seen as an alternative source of energy despite the fact that uranium fuel has to be imported. One possible solution to that problem was the creation of a fast-breeder reactor program.
Geiger Counter Readings in Seattle, WA on May 15, 2013
Ambient office = .116 microsieverts per hour
Ambient outside = .080 microsieverts per hour
Soil exposed to rain water = .084 microsieverts per hour
Celery from Costco = .105 microsieverts per hour
Tap water = .076 microsieverts per hour
Filtered water = .067 microsieverts per hour
I briefly mentioned radioactive materials and landfills recently in the context of disposal of drill tailings from fracking. There are standards for what levels of radioactivity are acceptable in landfills today. However, there are exemptions for wastes generated by nuclear weapons related operations.
Geiger Counter Readings in Seattle, WA on May 14, 2013
Ambient office = .056 microsieverts per hour
Ambient outside = .088 microsieverts per hour
Soil exposed to rain water = .114 microsieverts per hour
Dried Apricot from Costco = .095 microsieverts per hour
Tap water = .067 microsieverts per hour
Filtered water = .043 microsieverts per hour
I have written several blogs about the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Aside from the fact that I live in Western Washington, the main reason I have focused on Hanford is that it contains a huge quantity of toxic radioactive waste that has proven very difficult to clean up. Leakages at Hanford threaten the Columbia River and the communities that depend on it for drinking water, industry and irrigation.
Geiger Counter Readings in Seattle, WA on May 13, 2013
Ambient office = .046 microsieverts per hour
Ambient outside = .061 microsieverts per hour
Soil exposed to rain water = .071 microsieverts per hour
Banana from Costco = .105 microsieverts per hour
Tap water = .127 microsieverts per hour
Filtered water = .100 microsieverts per hour
