Is the air safe?

© Environmental Protection Agency

To date, there is minimal to no risk of air contamination.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a large network of air radiation monitors (RadNet) across the country, including some in Alaska. RadNet monitors and additional mobile monitors were installed before Fukushima-derived radioactive material was forecasted to arrive on the U.S. West Coast.

Shortly after the Fukushima accident in March 2011, the RadNet air monitoring system in Alaska and other Pacific states detected trace levels of radiation slightly above background. Radiation levels returned back to baseline shortly after the event. Fukushima-derived radiation levels detected in the United States were far below those that would be expected to cause a risk to human health.

To find out more about Alaska specific air quality monitoring results from RadNet and other resources click here.