財団法人震災復興支援放射能安全研究所

For Our Children, Our Hope for the Future Testing the Human Body for Radiation Testing Foods for Radiation Disclosing Information on Testing and Research Research Institute of Radiation for Disaster recovery support

Food Testing

The Institute tests foods for radioactive materials.

Germanium semiconductor detectors and NaI(TI) scintillation detectors are used to measure radioactive materials in foods, breast milk, drinking water and other items that humans ingest.

What are Germanium Semiconductor detectors?

They are detectors that use germanium. With their high resolution, they accurately quantify radionuclides by type to low densities.
*Germanium (Ge) is a chemical element with the atomic number 32.

What are NaI(TI) Scintillation Detectors?

They are radiation detectors that use sodium iodide crystals. Their high detection efficiency enables them to measure radionuclides quickly.

Eligibility for Testing

Anyone in Japan can apply to have food tested.

Test Items

The Institute can test samples of food, water, other fluids and breast milk. Please contact us by telephone if you wish to have other samples tested.

Test samples

Please send by postal mail. Please note that we will return samples to the sender after we have finished testing them.
Return postal charges are to be borne by the requestor.

(The Institute will specify payment on delivery when returning tested samples.)

About Duplicate Portion Sampling

The Institute can monitor how much radioactive material is contained in meals eaten in the home each day. Please prepare an extra portion of each meal served and store it for mailing to the Institute.

3 meals/day x 2 days = 6 duplicate portions

Tests are free of charge for people who agree to allow the results to be published. In such cases, the Institute takes every possible care to ensure that individuals cannot be identified.

Breast Milk Tests

If you would like to have breast milk tested, please follow the same procedures as for internal radiation exposure tests.
The Institute does not accept applications for germanium semiconductor testing of breast milk only.

About Test Samples

Details of the samples tested by the germanium semiconductor detector are as follows

  • *Detection limits are rough yardsticks. Results may vary slightly depending on environmental conditions.
  • *Since sample sizes differ according to the type of vegetable, please contact us before submitting your application.
  • *We undertake breast milk testing on the understanding that the subject will also undergo Whole Body Counter testing (internal radiation exposure testing).

Applications for Testing

Please download the form below, fill in the necessary details, and fax it back to the Institute.

【Dedicated fax number】0247-57-5006

*It is not possible to make applications by telephone. Please call the following number if you have any questions.

【Dedicated toll-free number】 0120-06-4771

Applications are accepted from Monday through Friday, but not Saturday-Sunday
Opening hours: 10:00-12:00 / 14:00-16:00

*The applicant who filled out the fax form will be notified once the test date has been decided. Please note that the Institute cannot perform tests on samples sent before it has contacted the applicant.

Please inquire about charges by telephone.

Inquiries

Research Institute of Radiation for Disaster recovery support

30, Aza Osumi, Oaza Kamiyomogida, Hirata-mura, Ishikawa-gun, Fukushima Prefecture 963-8202
Tel: 0247-57-5012 Fax: 0247-57-5006