US Navy Detects Radiation In Tokyo-Area Bases

From Stars and Stripes:

The Navy said very low levels of airborne radiation were detected Tuesday morning at greater Tokyo-area bases in Yokosuka and Atsugi, prompting commanders to direct base residents to remain indoors as a precaution.

At 7 a.m., the aircraft carrier USS George Washington at Yokosuka Naval Base detected elevated radiation levels, according to a U.S. Navy 7th Fleet statement. The Navy said the elevated levels were associated with the disaster at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant, located about 200 miles to the north.

A level of 0.5 millirems of radiation was detected at Atsugi with similar levels at Yokosuka, said Atsugi public affairs officer Tim McGough. The radiation was detected coming from winds blowing from the northeast, he said.

“We’re not expecting this to last long,” McGough said. “Winds should be changing early this afternoon, we’re told.”

Officials at Camp Fuji, Camp Zama and Yokota Air Base, all in the Tokyo area, told Stars and Stripes that they had not detected elevated levels of radiation as of about noon Tuesday.

“The level of 0.5 millirems, which is translated to five microsieverts, is 50 times more than the level that exits in nature,” said Masaharu Hoshi, professor of radiation physics at the Research Institute of Radiation Biology and Medicine of the University of Hiroshima.

“The level detected at this time is not a level that immediately causes health hazards,” said Hoshi, who studies exposure cases and history in Chernobyl, Semipalatinsk (a Kazakhstan nuclear test site, closed in 1991), Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

“I would say not to worry. Even at Chernobyl, there were only 20 or so people who had direct effect and died of thyroid gland cancer,” he said. “The major problem is psychological, the fear of harmful effect that people might harbor.”

Comments

[gordengeko]

FYI, 2 millirem/HR is completly safe and Industrial radiography does not even rope off sections for these levels.

[Cognitive Dissonance]

Isn't it always amazing how the radiation detected is always at "low levels" and not harmful to humans.

The real question should be what level does it take to kill the banksta cockroaches and how do we lure them to that area?

[gordengeko]

Put it this way, I would be MUCH more concerned with those scanners that are about to be installed at every travel location in the US than .5-2 mr/hr.

[Cognitive Dissonance]

You are assuming the numbers given are correct. That is a dangerous assumptionregardless of which government authority is talking. From their point of view, there is nothing to gain from telling the public the truth if the truth is embarrassing or disruptive. The tendency for any authority, corporate or governmental, when faced with releasing "bad" news is to lie first, spin second, obfuscate third, lie again to reinforce the first lie fourth and then plead ignorance or stupidity fifth. Finally you admit mistakes were made BUT.........................

[Robot Traders Mom]

Spot on Cog...

[gordengeko]

Can't argue with what you're saying but there is a lot of ignorance with the media running off with the slightest bit of information(not ZH) causing panic(especially with radiation).  Granted the majority of the media is controlled, I get that, but information is information and people need to do their own research and not take what they here from corporate media and panic.  If they do, well then, good luck with that.

[Robot Traders Mom]

A good rule of thumb in times of crisis especially, is to do the opposite of what the gov't says. Nothing good ever comes from following them in any part of your life.

[AG BCN]

That's why I'm on 2 packs a day, following people like you. dang and dang.

[DaveyJones]

WAs Sleeper:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yCeFmn_e2c

[DaveyJones]

another decent discussion today.

http://www.democracynow.org/2011/3/15/headlines#1

one highlight:

The specific design (of which 1/3 of american plants share) faced some very serious expert safety criticisms from the get go

citizens and experts pointed out the significant seismic and tsunami risk from the beginning but (of course) the govt said (1) this richter will never hit and, get this (2) the combo will never hit

[eigenvalue]

You can throw in a naked Blythe Masters to conduct an experiment. By the way, to be honest, Blythe Masters is not bad-looking.

[Paper CRUSHer]

Not to sure about bankstaz.

All i know is German cockroaches can withstand 30% more radiation exposure than their American counterparts.

Tuff sonz of bitchez those Germanz.

[ziggy59]

lie to me once, i might believe you the next time...lie to me 30 times..no way..

Japan boosts holdings of US debt in January Japan boosts US debt purchases, but it is likely to scale back foreign holdings after crisis

ya think?

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Japan-boosts-holdings-of-US-apf-1870144949...

[jtmo3]

Correct me if I'm wrong but, if they are detecting radiation in Tokyo now, and the reactor does meltdown or partially melt and the ground is contaminated, then every time the wind blows towards Tokyo, more radiation will be delivered and eventually, it will accumulate and become unlivable. Am I missing something or is Tokyo in deep shit if they can't stop these reactors?

[Cdad]

Don't worry.  E. Burnett on the Ministry of Truth [CNBC] has declared that rads at the reactor site are down.  Everything is fine now.  She said.  How can you argue?  After all, the state of Japan has been saying the same thing, and E. Burnett has been carrying their flag forward. 

Folks should definitely be in there buying up casual dining stocks...at least.  Maybe tech stocks and fucking uranium stocks, too...'cause E. Burnett says.

[TeamAmerica]

You are missing something.   The releases so far have been short-lived isotopes that will decay away within days.   It will not accumulate in the way you suggest.

[Oh regional Indian]

Now is when serious cognitive dissonance starts to set in. Who do you trust? The US Navy?

hmmmmm.... Japanese government? Hmmmm.... Internet? 

So many sources, all screaming different stories, each with their own axe to sharpen. 

And then, you put on your tin-foiler and ask Cui Bono (because, sadly, such is the state of the species that people are looking to bono in the most tragic of times and circumstances) and what possibel hidden agenda might be pushed as people panic. Becuause we all knwo a panicked herd is much easier to stampede.

Best thing, at this time, is to keep calm. Have a place to get away to? Go away. 

One way or the other, this careening titanic will show a direction, probably down, but then you might already be away. Man your lifeboat, perhaps begin to at least make one?

The bad news, manufactured or otherwise, is going to coem faster and faster from here on out. And mostly on topics that most people have no clue. See how an MIT asshole can swing public opinion?

Trust no one but your "self".

ORI

http://aadivaahan.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/axis-trembles/

[spanish inquisition]

Will the Navy tell you the truth? Sort of, it will look like this....  "The US Navy is conducting a training exercise south of Japan consisting of all ranking officers and enough skilled technicians to get them there. The remaining low ranking men will remain in Tokyo to prove that the radiation levels are safe"

[TeamAmerica]

What reason would the US Navy have to lie?   They've already reported moving ships after detecting radiation 100 miles out at sea.   Doesn't seem like they are hiding anything (unlike some Japanese officials who seem incapable of answering a direct question).

[Cognitive Dissonance]

What reason would the US Navy have to lie? 

Too funny. I just love stand up comedy on ZH. Encore!!!

[Crassus]

Anything in Stars and Stripes has gone through a dozen filters.

[andybev01]

...before ending up on the editors' desk.

[Number 156]

Very low levels. But stay indoors?

It sounds like its perfecly safe, but it can kill you.

[Pegasus Muse]

"Man your lifeboat, perhaps begin to at least make one?"

I've got mine and have been busy provisioning it with more supplies this morning.

Didn't think we would get another chance to buy silver under $34.  Loaded up on some more at $33.85.  Will buy more if it drops more.  Physical, of course.

[Oh regional Indian]

Excellent. I'm off shopping for the shiney tomorrow also.

ORI

[AG BCN]

Atsugi - 40 mins by train south of Tokyo,

my old hood, not as a GI but as a sararyman.

Hope they are all gunna be OK over there.

[Josh Randall]

Those poor folks in Japan are in afix for a long long time -- no US bases and drunken sailor money is gonna sting.

[TeamAmerica]

Puh-lease!  US bases don't contribute anything significant to Japan's GDP.   That's incredibly arrogant and ignorant.

[-Michelle-]

Tell that to all the Mama-sans over in the Honch.

[PaperWillBurn]

The Philippines will be sure to feel the effects

[Hedgetard55]

NFLX in flight to safety action today. +2%.

[SWRichmond]

GI slogan:

First time happenstance: http://www.kqed.org/news/story/2011/03/12/46225/nuclear_crisis_builds_as...

Second time, coincidence: http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2011/03/massive-expl...

Third time, suspect enemy activity: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10712494

They never bothered with fourth time: http://rt.com/news/officials-explosion-fukoshima-claims/

WTF?  Five days with air and road access = practically unlimited resources.  WTF?

[WTFisThat]

Who really need a man made nuclear war if we could get that from the mother nature... well the next time you buy something from Japan, make sure you scan the item with your portable Geiger counter.

[americanspirit]

Individual Action

Air Burst of Atomic Bomb

GPO Document 1950  O- 908880

Before Burst

Air raid alert or General Quarters is sounded. Take prescribed action! The best defense against an "A" bomb is the same as against HE bombs.

During and After Burst

1. Take cover, unless under other attack, and stay for 10 seconds or until heavy debris has stopped falling.
2. Underground shelters, ships, basements and slit trenches are all good protection. Lie close to wall out of path of flying debris. Keep head covered and avoid exposure of bare skin. Fall flat if no protection is available.

If At Duty Station

1. Resume duties if able
2. The war won't be over. Get back to work and be ready for orders and instructions.

If Not At Duty Station

1. Help Others
2. Thousands of lives can be saved by prompt aid. Help save lives by helping others.
3. By the time the debris has stopped falling there is no further radiation hazard.

Report to Duty Station

1. Organization is necessary to reduce the effects of the bomb.
2. Report to receive treatment if necessary, and work to help overall situation.

Don't Panic and Don't Spread Rumors

1. Rushing aimlessly about will hinder rescue and damage control. Keep your experience to yourself and don't enlarge on what you hear from others.
2. Remember - the large casualties in Japan resulted from failure to provide air raid warning and from lack of organization.

Effects of Air Burst of Atomic Bomb

Blast

1. Sudden shock
2. Shock pressure from burst not enough to kill. Flying debris causes most injuries.

Heat

1. "Flash heat" - first few seconds. Burns on exposed skin occur out to two miles.
2. Light colored clothes afford protection
3. Keep your shirt on

Fires

1. Flash heat causes forest and brush fires. Many fires started by stoves, short-circuits, etc.
2. Broken power lines on ships start electrical fires. ( Fight these fires in normal manner)

Nuclear Radiation

Flash Radiation

1. 50% of radiation occurs in first second.
2. 80% occurs in first 10 seconds
3. 100% in first 90 seconds
4. Fall or dive fast to place as much material as possible between you and the blast. In most cases if you are not wounded or burned you will not have to worry about radiation.

Lingering Radiation

1. So small it is not a hazard. Disregard it.

[Ben Graham Redux]

One thing I don't understand is that a lot has been made of the Seventh Fleet leaving port, yet the George Washington is still there?  Why is the GW still in port if they're afraid of nuclear fallout?

[automato]

Effects of radiation

Just as too much exposure to the sun can cause painful sunburn, too much exposure to certain levels and types of radiation can have harmful effects. But it takes radiation doses of over 20,000 mrem, received within a day, to produce effects measurable by a trained doctor. Very large doses of 50,000 to 100,000 mrem are required before an individual feels any ill effects. Harm from radiation depends on:

• the length of time you are exposed
• how far you are from the source
• the amount your body is exposed to and which part
• how much material you inhale or take into your body

[belogical]

very low levels?

Sen the joint chiefs of staff over there to check things out. In fact congress loves to travel on our dime, send them all