Summary of Environmental Radiation Monitoring in Hong Kong 2007 ( Abstract )

The Environmental Radiation Monitoring Programme of the Hong Kong Observatory entered its twenty-first year in 2007. The monitoring work continues to operate smoothly on a sound basis. This annual report incorporates salient features of the work of the programme during 2007, including a brief report on measurement method and results, highlights of relevant new work, changes and new measures introduced.

The ambient radiation levels in Hong Kong in 2007 as measured by the Observatory radiation monitoring network were within the normal background range. As in the past years, traces of artificial radionuclides, namely caesium-137, tritium, strontium-90 and plutonium-239, were detected in various environmental and food samples. The levels of all these radionuclides were not significantly different from those recorded before the Guangdong Nuclear Power Station and Lingao Nuclear Power Station came into operation. Their existence could primarily be attributed to atmospheric nuclear weapon tests from 1945 to 1980.

Based on the results, it is concluded that there was no measurable change in 2007 in ambient radiation levels and activities of artificial radionuclides in the Hong Kong environment and foodstuffs consumed by Hong Kong people, compared with those before the operation of the nuclear power stations.

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