Internet of Things

7Tweets from Fukushima: Connected Sensors and Social Media for Dissemination after a Nuclear Accident

7.1. Introduction

Digital services for information and communication, especially social media, are increasingly being used to share the information required to manage disasters such as a nuclear accident. In this particular case, victims can only rely on measurements to evaluate the radioactive contamination of the environment, food and people. Measurement readings are therefore essential in implementing actions towards the reduction of people’s exposure to ionizing radiation and the monitoring of its health impact. Thus, in a situation post nuclear accident, it is crucial to have access to measurement devices as well as tools facilitating the dissemination of information useful to the resilience process.

In March 2011, a few days after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, Japanese citizens sought to obtain information about the radioactive contamination of their environment. Without complete information from public institutions they extensively relied on social media to find the level of radioactive contamination in different areas and assess practical solutions to ensure their everyday life. This data was partially generated by ad hoc devices, called radiation detectors or radiameters, and disseminated on the Internet by automated programs (robots) through the Twitter platform. This way, radiameters contributed to the Internet of Things (IoT).

In order to study their role, ...