This exhibit highlights some of the work carried out by the Hong Kong Observatory in the Environmental Radiation Monitoring Programme (ERMP).

The visitor can manipulate buttons on the lowest panel to obtain information on the ERMP. At the press of a button, say, that corresponding to seawater, the top panel with the map will be lit up to show the locations for seawater collection. In the middle panel, the photographs showing the pre-treatment process and chemical preparation required for the seawater sample prior to radiation measurement are also lit up. Finally, the types of radiation measurement for the seawater samples are indicated by lighting up the appropriate photographs in the lower panel.

There are altogether 12 control buttons on the lowest panel, each of which corresponds to an activity of the ERMP described below:

1. Direct radiation measurement using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs)
2. Direct radiation measurement using high pressure ionization chambers (HPICs)
3. Collection and measurement of airborne particulates
4. Collection and measurement of wet deposition
5. Collection and measurement of water vapour, gaseous iodine and carbon dioxide
6. Collection and measurement of land soil
7. Collection and measurement of seawater
8. Collection and measurement of seabed sediment
9. Collection and measurement of aquatic foodstuff
10. Collection and measurement of drinking water
11. Collection and measurement of poultry and livestock
12. Collection and measurement of vegetables and fruit