Japanese laboratories analysing seawater, marine sediment and fish samples from near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan produce reliable data, according to an IAEA report released today.
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Recent results
The most recent interlaboratory comparison performed late last year involved seawater samples and six batches of fresh fish caught near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The seawater samples were analysed for tritium (hydrogen-3), strontium-90, caesium-134 and caesium-137 by the Japan Chemical Analysis Center (JCAC), the Geo Science Laboratory (GSL), Japan, KANSO Co., LTD., Japan and the IAEA Environment Laboratories. The fish samples were analysed for caesium-134 and caesium-137 by the Marine Ecology Research Institute (MERI) in Onjuku, Japan, JCAC, the Japan Frozen Foods Inspection Corporation (JFFIC) and the IAEA Environment Laboratories.
In the proficiency test exercises, the IAEA prepares test samples of low radioactivity seawater and requires the participating laboratories to measure its level of radioactivity. The amount of radioactivity in these so-called ‘spiked samples’ is not known to the participating laboratories, who report their methods and results to the IAEA. Over 50 laboratories worldwide, including 17 Japanese laboratories, participated in these exercises. Proficiency test results published so far for this project are available on the IAEA website.
Read more at Japanese Data on Marine Samples Near Fukushima Reliable, IAEA Report Concludes
