Report on Gamma-Ray Analysis of Seaweed Samples from Naturespirit Herbs LLC

TL;DR

This study used gamma-ray detectors to analyze seaweed samples for contamination from Fukushima, finding no Cs-134 and only low Cs-137 levels attributable to nuclear testing fallout, with natural K-40 levels dominating.

Contribution

First gamma-ray analysis of these seaweed samples specifically searching for Fukushima-related contamination.

Findings

No Cs-134 detected in samples

Low Cs-137 levels attributed to nuclear fallout

Natural K-40 levels are predominant

Abstract

Five seaweed samples from Naturespirit Herbs LLC were counted using low-background high-resolution gamma-ray detectors to search for evidence of contamination from the Fukushima reactor accident. No evidence of Cs-134 was observed in any of the samples. Very low levels of Cs-137 were observed and are attributed to fallout from atmospheric nuclear weapons testing. However, these levels of Cs-137 are small compared to the levels of the naturally occurring K-40 observed from these seaweed samples.