Reality check: Facts about the threat posed by radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi plant

• People are exposed to an average of 3.0 mSv/year.
• People have a normal radiation acceptance level of 20 mS/year.
• On 17 March at 10am, helicopters measured 87.7 mSv/h at 90 m and 4.13 mSv/h at 300 m above the Daiichi plant.
• Other measurements of radiation levels taken within ~60 km of the Daiichi plant ranged from 0.7 to 170 μSv/h on 17 March.

Sources:

• FAQs: Japan nuclear concerns — WHO
• Fukushima reactor breach: radiation and health effects — Science Media Centre (New Zealand)
• Japan earthquake and tsunami Situation Report No. 9 — World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific