Measurements and control actions, together with precautionary
radiation protection measures, were performed
by the authorities. To avoid importing contaminated foodstuffs,
measurements were performed and the results compared
to the EU limits. Also, airplanes and ships were
controlled to avoid spreading contamination.
Measures for the protection of the public
For the protection of the people living in the vicinity
of Fukushima Daiichi NPP, the authorities ordered
some emergency measures. On 11 March 2011, the evacuation
of an area within a 3-km radius began. Sheltering
(staying inside buildings) was ordered within a 10-km
radius. Until 15 March 2011, evacuation within a 20-km
radius and sheltering within a 30-km radius was declared.
Furthermore, iodine tablets were distributed. At the end
of April, some special evacuation areas existed (Fig. 7):
first, the restricted area within the 20-km radius; second,
the evacuation area prepared in case of emergency connected
to future accident development with new releases
into the atmosphere; and third, the deliberate evacuation
area, where there was a possibility for individual doses
that exceeded 20 mSv yj1. Some locations with unacceptably
high doses in this area were designated to be
evacuated.
Fig. 6. Maximum cesium and iodine concentrations in spinach (data by MHLW).
The Fukushima accident c H. THIELEN 173
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