Identifying the possible source regions of elevated concentrations of Xenon-133 detected at the Takasaki Radionuclide Monitoring Station (JPX38) on 2 October 2017: Malaysian CTBT National Data Centre (MY-NDC) findings

A couple of elevated concentrations of noble gas Xenon-133 were detected at the Takasaki Radionuclide Monitoring Station (JPX38) on 2 October 2017. Xenon-133 is among four relevant radioxenon isotopes that are used for monitoring and verification of nuclear explosions including Xenon-13, Xenon-133m and Xenon-131m. These radioxenon gases could be emitted either from nuclear explosion or civil nuclear facilities including medical isotopes production facilities, nuclear power reactors and nuclear research reactors. This paper presents the Malaysian CTBT National Data Centre (MY-NDC) findings in identifying the possible source regions for elevated concentrations of Xenon-133 detected at JPX38 on 2 October 2017. The findings will be useful in understanding the possible source of release for such Xenon-133 detection, whether coming from a late release of the 3 September 2017 North Korea nuclear test site or from civil nuclear facilities.