Location: Makati, Indoors
Time of reading: 3:00pm
Value: 0.11 microSieverts per hour (110 nanoSieverts/hr)
Yearly dose at this level: 0.963 milliSieverts (96.3 millirem)
hours range: 0.08-0.11 μSv/hr
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6/3/11 Friday
Location: Makati, Indoors
Time of reading: 6:30pm
Value: 0.09 microSieverts per hour (90 nanoSieverts/hr)
Yearly dose at this level: 0.788 milliSieverts (78.4 millirem)
Days range: 0.07-0.10 μSv/hr
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5/2511 Wednesday
Location: Makati, Indoors
Time of reading: 6:30pm
Value: 0.07 microSieverts per hour (70 nanoSieverts/hr)
Yearly dose at this level: 0.613 milliSieverts (61.3 millirem)
Days range: 0.06-0.12 μSv/hr
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5/16/11 Monday
Location: Makati, Indoors
Time of reading: 11:50pm
Value: 0.11 microSieverts per hour (110 nanoSieverts/hr)
Yearly dose at this level: 0.964 milliSieverts (96.4 millirem)
Days range: 0.06-0.11 μSv/hr Yearly dose at this level: 0.964 milliSieverts (96.4 millirem)
*Average dose of children attending school in Fukushima Prefecture: 1.14 μSv/hr (10 milliSievert/yr, or 1000 millrem/yr)
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5/14/11 Saturday
Location: Makati, Indoors
Time of reading: 7:05 am
Value: 0.08 microSieverts per hour (80 nanoSieverts/hr)
Yearly dose at this level: 0.70 milliSieverts (70 millirem)
One hour range (6:10am - 7:10am): 0.07-0.09 μSv/hr Yearly dose at this level: 0.70 milliSieverts (70 millirem)
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5/6/11 Friday
Location: Boni Ave., Mandaluyong, outdoors
Time of reading: 3:00 pm
Value: 0.08 microSieverts per hour (80 nanoSieverts/hr)
Ten minute range: 0.08-0.09 μSv/hr ________________________________________________________________________________
5/5/11 Thursday
Location: Makati, Indoors
Time of reading: 2:20 pm
Value: 0.08 microSieverts per hour (80 nanoSieverts/hr)
One hour range (1:30pm-2:30pm): 0.07-0.10 μSv/hr
I still haven't obtained photographic documentation of areas around town, but will get to that soon. This past Saturday, the inside of Powerplant mall was reading in a range of .08 - 0.12 μSv/hr over a period of three hours. The highest reading thus far was a short blip outside in the area of Ortigas in Pasig, at 0.13 μSv/hr. Since the beginning of my measurements, no readings have been at any levels of concern.
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I still haven't obtained photographic documentation of areas around town, but will get to that soon. This past Saturday, the inside of Powerplant mall was reading in a range of .08 - 0.12 μSv/hr over a period of three hours. The highest reading thus far was a short blip outside in the area of Ortigas in Pasig, at 0.13 μSv/hr. Since the beginning of my measurements, no readings have been at any levels of concern.
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5/3/11 Tuesday
Location: Makati, Indoors
Time of reading: 9:28 pm
Value: 0.09 microSieverts per hour (90 nanoSieverts/hr)
One hour range (8:30pm-9:30pm): 0.08-0.10 μSv/hr
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5/2/11 Monday
Location: Mandaluyong, Indoors
Time of reading: 1:30 pm
Value: 0.08 microSieverts per hour (80 nanoSieverts/hr)
One hour range (1:00pm-2:00pm): 0.07-0.10 μSv/hr
Compare with: Latest DOST-PNRI RADIATION LEVEL CHECK at PNRI grounds as of 11:00 AM, 28 April 2011:
109 nSv/h (.109 microSv), STATUS: NORMAL
___________________________________________________________________________________109 nSv/h (.109 microSv), STATUS: NORMAL
4/30/11 Saturday
 |
| Unit: Ecotest Terra Professional |
Location: Makati, Indoors
Time of reading: 11:40 am
Value: 0.07 microSieverts per hour (70 nanoSieverts/hr)
One hour range (11:30am-12:30pm): 0.07-0.12 μSv/hr
Water reading beta flux density (~10x10cm surface area): 0.005 (negligible)
Water reading - photons: Same range as in air values
Water reading - photons: Same range as in air values
I lack the historical radiation background level data for the Philippines, but would assume ranges comparable to Japan, Taiwan and Singapore (0.04-0.08 µSv/hr)
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In the spirit of ALARA (keeping our radiation exposures "as low as reasonably achievable"), consider this statement by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission:
"The NRC adopted the 100 mrem per year dose limit from the 1990 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The ICRP is an organization of international radiation scientists who provide recommendations regarding radiation protection related activities, including dose limits. These dose limits are often implemented by governments worldwide as legally enforceable regulations. The basis of the ICRP recommendation of 100 mrem per year is that a lifetime of exposure at this limit would result in a very small health risk and is roughly equivalent to background radiation from natural sources (excluding radon) (ICRP, 1991). Thus, the ICRP equated 100 mrem per year to the risk of riding public transportation – a risk the public generally accepts (ICRP, 1977). The U.S. National Council on Radiological Protection and Measurements (NCRP) also recommends the dose limit of 100 mrem per year (NCRP, 1993)."
There is little we can do to reduce or eliminate natural background radiation exposure. What we can do is accept and respect the fact that radiation exposure is a normal part of our lives, and that levels will vary significantly according to geographic location.
Due to the Fukushima crisis, so-called "safe" and "acceptable" levels of radiation exposure are the topic of much heated discussion, with the well-wishing out to educate the paranoid and vice versa. As contrary claims are bounced around, keep in mind that each individual has a comfort zone when it comes to their own radiation exposure. Since "safe" doses have not been clearly defined by scientists, it is a matter of personal preference, thus, one individual can't presume his/her conviction of what is "safe" upon another.
In all circumstances, safety, practicality, and reasonableness should prevail when considering personal risk.
100 mrem/yr = 1 mSv/yr = 0.11415μSv/hr
Keep your detector in a plastic bag, at least while it's outside the house, otherwise the first elevated reading from it may be the last correct one you ever get.
ReplyDeleteAny radioactive dust it catches can contaminate it, giving you scarily high false readings, forever.
I have been whenever i take it outside. Pulled it out just for the pic. Appreciate your advice.
ReplyDeletethank God for this blog. 'will check your updates always!
ReplyDeleteMore than happy to help
ReplyDeleteCould you try getting rain samples and test it for radiation?
ReplyDeleteI've been taking readings periodically, and rainwater, tapwater and soil have been within the same range as in-air readings. The last water reading was about 2 weeks ago. Also, readings around town are within the same range as home. Unless significant venting resumes at Fukushima, i wouldn't expect readings to crack .12 microSv/hr.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your updates, but please could you also make tests of hotspots where particles might concentrate (like in your recently linked video)? Would be interesting if there is even only the _slightest_ increase when putting the device to the ground, compared to air? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWill meet your request asap... schedule has been nuts lately.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this invaluable service. Hope you can continue to update the radiation level readings in Metro Manila. There is still a possibility that the radiation from the Fukushima reactors could radically spike. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteThe last reading was on June 3rd. I'm just wondering if you have stopped measuring the levels of radiation. If you have stopped it, could you please refer to me to another reliable and independent website like yours? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your informative site. I'm a Canadian who has been staying in Pasay City for the past two months. I have noticed a conspicuous lack of information in the Philippine media about the events at Fukashima. It is a relief to have found this site and to be able to learn exactly what the radiation levels are in Manila. I am also concerned about the incidence of "hot particles" that people may be breathing in. Thanks again for your great work!
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry for the lack of updates lately. Things have been quite busy and maintaining this blog takes time, especially keeping up with news and writing something meaningful about each development. As much as i would like to devote enough time to stay current daily, or even twice a day, in the near term im pretty bogged down with time.
ReplyDeleteMy geiger counter is always on, and i can assure you that readings have rarely exceeded .11 microSv per hour. I would say the average dose is around .07-.08 mSv. These doses are within normal limits for the Philippines, and are completely acceptable in terms of background radiation.
Unfortunately, the only other source of information for radiation readings in air is the PNRI, who hasn't updated their findings since late May. I will continue to post readings as best i can. Rest assured - if levels get out of whack, i will be quick to post something about it on this blog.
So in other words all is safe and normal in the Philippines? I'm sorry i'm very bad at math and i don't understand the readings... I thought the last one was very high cause i thought it was almost what you wrote we should receive in one year ( 100 mrem/yr = 1 mSv/yr = 0.11415μSv/hr) So it shows how bad i am at math and how little i understand of all of this. All i know is that it's scary , and it's nice to have someone like you who understand and know this stuff say that it's normal and completely acceptable :) It's reassuring... I'm thinking about ordering clothing from the Philippines and the radiation scare stopped me from doing so , i feel better about it now :)Still confused and a little scared but better :) Thanks for this wonderful blog. It is very much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to collect rainwater and measure that, as well to get some air filters from vehicles and measure them, this is because your meter can not detect the accumulation of hot particles if measuring only the ambient air or even ground:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fairewinds.com/updates
Thank you very much for resuming your radiation readings in the Philippines (6/21/2011). I know you will receive good karma for your unselfish services. Thanks!
ReplyDelete"I thought the last one was very high cause i thought it was almost what you wrote we should receive in one year ( 100 mrem/yr = 1 mSv/yr = 0.11415μSv/hr)"
ReplyDelete1 milliSv per year is a guideline that certain regulatory agencies use. Depending on your geographical location, this is completely unachievable due to terrestrial and solar contribution. Receiving 1 milliSv a year would hardly put you at increased risk of cancer (as far as studies show), but it has been designed to be a level to start raising your awareness about how much cumulative exposure you will allow yourself from controllable sources, like unnecessary CT scans of the head, multiple 12 hour flights per year, etc.
The Philippines occasionally reads at .11 or even .12 microSv per hour, but these levels are reached very briefly (just a few minutes out of the day) and are few and far between. My guess is that the annual average comes out to .08 microSv per hour, which comes out to .7 milliSv/year - hardly a cancer inducing dose, and lower than many other parts of the world.
With the exception of certain areas in Japan, background levels in all other countries around the world have returned to absolute normal, and it will stay this way unless heavy radioactive venting or a new explosion develops in Dai-ichi.
Does your gieger counter measure gamma radiation only? If so, how about alpha radiation which is about 20 times more dangerous? Also, what can you say about Fukushima's long-lived Plutonium and Uranium radioisotopes in the Philippines? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCan you please post one radiation reading at least once a week? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking for measurement data relevant to present status of radionuclide contamination on south path of Kuroshio Current (seawater close to the Philippines).
ReplyDeleteMore info about at http://www.facebook.com/NuclearRadiationPelczar
Hi there, why is it that these charts differ from the readings available on http://radiationnetwork.com/index.htm ?? Radiation badge.
ReplyDeleteplease educate me on why there appears to be a difference between the real time readings on Radiationnetwork and these charts you have displayed... thanks!
Just read some info that plutonium is all over the pacific ocean. I am wondering about radiation level in the Philippines now, 5 Oct. 2013. Avoid seafood at all cost. One plutonium isotope is enough to cause cancer from what i read.
ReplyDelete0.11micro = 0.000011 milli ?
ReplyDeleteso, yearly (milli) is 8.76 x 0.000011? right?
thanks, keep posting your data.
Have you tried measuring from the North Eastern coasts?
ReplyDelete