★ Our Mission

 

The Aizu Radiation Information Center (ARIC) was established to protect our lives and the lives of children, and to protect the future. Our purpose is to gain the power to learn facts, to recognize the truth, and to distinguish what is truly important.


★ Measure to Confirm Safety

It is our right to decide what is safe and what is not for ourselves. We conduct radiation monitoring in a number of different ways to confirm the safety of our surroundings and share information with each other. We also lend out devices for free to members.

 

GPS mapping of radiation levels in the air:

·         Hotspot finder: A portable Geiger counter that automatic uploads data to a map through GPS. We look for hotspots in areas frequented by children.

·         bGeigie: DIY Geiger counter that can be strapped to a car to measure radiateon levels across a wider area.

·         Pointcast: Continuous monitoring of one location (the entrance to ARIC).

 

Radiation levels in air, soil, and food:

·         ALOKA Geiger counter: A pancake-type Geiger counter used to measure gamma radiation levels in the air.

·         RDS-180: This device can be used to measure surface-level soil contamination.

 

·     GDM15 Scintillation (Gamma-data): We have two scintillators to measure gamma radiation in food and water. We try to keep our detection limit as low as possible (1-2Bq/kg) so we can provide precise data.


★ Connect to Protect Life

Mental and Physical Health Services

·         Health Consultations: Dr. Tomoyuki Yamazaki (Internal Medicine) and Dr. Koji Kobayashi (Psychiatry) provide free bimonthly consultations and facilitate group sessions at the center. Dr. Yamazaki is an expert in the health effects of radiation exposure.

·         Recuperation Camps: We take children to areas not affected by the Fukushima nuclear disaster so they can physically and mentally recover from the effects of ongoing radiation exposure.

·         Niigata House: We allow members to rent a house for short stays with their families in Niigata city, where they do not have to worry about radioactive fallout. Members are able to de-stress in a private setting. 

 

Peer support sessions at “shaberi-ba”

·         Monthly peer support sessions are facilitated by center staff or Dr. Yamazaki and/or Dr. Kobayashi.

 

Lectures

 

·         We invite guest lecturers to teach about the Fukushima nuclear disaster and radiation.