How were air samples taken in N. Korea for radiation?

Question

It is confirmed now that N. Korea conducted an underground nuclear explosion but who tested the air and how were these people allowed access to the site? Also, how was the air tested?

Answer 1

we sent one of our planes that was stationed in s.korea to fly over to detect any radiation plus china did the same thing the day after.both detected radiation.

Answer 2

My illustrious predecessors have explained the way in which the samples must have been obtained. I,however, read about proportions of radioactivity in the a tmosphere. Both Japan,South Korea and even America has declared that the r adiactivity was very low indicating that the atomoc explosition might not be very strong.If Pakistan with all its bang,bang of the explosion earlier was admittedly in no position of launhing an atomic attact in India during Kargil with all the overboard and underground help it received the NE explosion is not a thing for Bush to lose his sleep over. The media report that this bang was just to persuade America for talks with NE appears to be true.

Answer 3

Leticia R,
Underground testing is performed so radiation will not leak into the atmosphere, but there is always some small leakage. So to get sample's they send test planes to fly over the area, it doesn't take but a small amount of radiation to show up on there equipment.
TDCWH

Answer 4

We have "Sniffer" planes that can detect the levels of radiationin the air. If they were already in the air like someone below suggested the levels picked up would reflect that.

Just for an added FYI - Pres. Amahdinejad from Iran was right there when they set it off. That's not good since he's got money to buy it!!

Answer 5

This is silly. UNDERGROUND nuclear tests don't put radiation into the air. That's why they [and we] DO it underground! Generally, they analyze the seismic shockwave for information about the blast, although they could also use satellite imaging for additional information.

Answer 6

excellent question. very technical too. i guess USA --with all its technological advance, including sending a man to the moon -- they could send a "scientist" to north Korea -- and get some air sample. not very difficult. i will spare you the details. too technical. re. the analysis -- same thing "ditto". over all you are right to question -- the authenticity of the air sample and the test. Looking at the face of the north Korean leader -- I have no doubt that he carries with him some of the radiation effect -- no punch intended -- but the guy is risking the health of the universe -- and his soldiers still march like during the Nazi Hitler regime. thanks for bringing up the question. we all hope that this nasty thing called "nuclear" war will be buried forever. amen -- if you believe in prayers.

Answer 7

Ya know, I wish everyone would be happy that they didnt aim that sucker at the USA. They very well could have. It wasnt a huge bomb, but it still could have done a lot of damage and killed a lot of people. Now, they ARE threatening war because the UN wants to impose sanctions. Come on people...look at the bigger picture here.

Answer 8

They were tests condecuted underground and they went pretty well. There is no air samples. That is just something the US Goverment made up. This nuclear test may or may be not linked to the Hawaiian Earthquake either.

Answer 9

USAF "Sniffer" airplanes on fly bys, knowing the wind direction, looking for tell tale nucleotides with short half lives.

Answer 10

I was asking the same thing, how do they know that it wasnt't already in the air.... if it was in the ground wouldn't it be more conclusive. I have no idea where they found the brainiac to do those tests... i think they need to go back to school