AQMD daily radiation monitoring update for Friday, March 18, 2011:
No increased risk detected above background levels
As of today, radiation levels measured at three regional sites operated by the South Coast Air Quality Management District for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have not been higher than typical “background” levels seen before the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. In the unlikely event that this changes, these extremely sensitive monitors will detect any change in outdoor radiation levels and it will be reported on this website.
AQMD has operated these radiation monitors in Southern California for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for several years. Radiation levels at these sites and many others around the country are monitored every hour and the information is sent immediately to U.S. EPA.
The AQMD will continue to monitor and assess the hourly radiation levels at sites in Southern California and elsewhere in the United States. It will also assess the weather conditions affecting the potential movement of airborne radioactive material across the Pacific Ocean. Updates will appear on this website daily or more frequently if needed.
Further general information on EPA’s radiation monitoring network can be found at http://www.epa.gov/narel/radnet/. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s response to the situation can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/.
Monitoring radiation is a very small part of the many activities AQMD does to protect public health and clean the air that we breathe. For more information on how you can help clean the air, go to www.cleanairconnections.org.
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