Full Notification

Air monitoring stations

Daily measurements

Radiation from the damaged nuclear reactors in Japan is not a health risk in Washington. The Department of Health takes hourly measurements from monitors in four locations throughout the state — Richland, Seattle, Spokane, and Tumwater. This page will be updated daily at about three o’clock with the most current measurements.

The chart shows radiations measures known as “gross beta,” a term that refers to all radioactive materials that emit beta radiation. Gross beta measurements are used because they give us the fastest indication of any change in radiation levels. They’re measured in “counts per minute.”

All monitoring stations have continually shown normal background levels of radiation. The annual average measurement at our Tumwater air monitor for 2010 was 25 counts per minute. The levels would have to be at least hundreds of thousands of times higher than these readings before state health officials would recommend protective actions.

We don’t expect to see significant increases in gross beta as a result of the Japanese disaster. If that did happen, we would measure specific isotopes in order to determine if steps are needed to protect public health.

You may see the daily readings at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/Topics/japan/monitor.htm