Emotional Consequences of Three Mile Island and Chernobyl: Lessons Learned for Fukushima

Bromet, Evelyn J.

doi:10.1007/978-4-431-55699-2_6

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Moreover, while the nuclear energy sector has developed extensively and with little civic involvement throughout modern Japanese history, the accident in Fukushima elicited unprecedented civil discourse and protests challenging the use of nuclear power (Aldrich, 2013). Notably, and as is the case after nuclear disasters in general, the radiation's effects on children and adolescents in Fukushima were especially worrisome (Bromet, 2016).…”

Section: Nuclear Disasters and The Accident In Fukushimamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among families of children and adolescents, there are also reports of stress, feelings of powerlessness and lack of control, isolation, and stigmatization (Wroble & Baum, 2004). While children and adolescents were not found to suffer from constant negative effects after nuclear events (Bromet, 2016;Takebayashi et al, 2017), there may be age differences in the disaster's processing. As such, adolescents may already be aware of invisible threats and understand abstract concepts related to danger.…”

Section: Nuclear Disasters and The Accident In Fukushimamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Adolescence Outside the Restricted Zone: A Narrative Study of Nuclear Disaster Response Trajectories intertwining with Life (TiL)

Dayan

2021

Journal of Adolescent Research

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Responses to trauma can involve complex meaning-making processes and the perception of ambiguous threats. This study sought to explore response trajectories to a nuclear disaster and their intertwining courses with ecological factors (Trajectories intertwining with Life—TiL) from adolescence onward among a non-evacuated population. Four women and four men (mean age 20) who were adolescents during the 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima (mean age 14), and who grew up outside the restricted zone participated in the study. Semi-structured life story interviews were conducted in the form of in-depth qualitative inquiries. A holistic analysis was employed to identify the TiL patterns following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in the overall context of the stories and to reveal important themes throughout adolescence. Four TiL patterns were found: three trajectories corresponding with those identified in prior research and one newly identified trajectory. The perceived, distal, and continuous threat of radiation played a central role in all patterns and exerted secondary impacts throughout the lives of non-evacuated adolescents. The study’s implications shed light on rarely studied response trajectories to ambiguous Potentially Traumatic Events (PTEs) throughout adolescence and point out the benefits of using a life story approach to this end for the first time.

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Section: Nuclear Disasters and The Accident In Fukushimamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Nuclear Disasters and The Accident In Fukushimamentioning

confidence: 99%

Adolescence Outside the Restricted Zone: A Narrative Study of Nuclear Disaster Response Trajectories intertwining with Life (TiL)

Dayan

2021

Journal of Adolescent Research

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“…1. Uncertainty about actual exposure due to the absence of data, lack of technical knowledge and equipment, and false assumptions, resulting in inadequate governmental crisis response measures (Bromet, 2016;Chernov & Sornette, 2016). 2.…”

Section: Parallels Between Tmi Chernobyl and Fukushimamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To date, the greatest contributing factors to psycho‐social consequences in nuclear accidents (International Commission on Radiological Protection ICRP, 2007) include: Uncertainty about actual exposure due to the absence of data, lack of technical knowledge and equipment, and false assumptions, resulting in inadequate governmental crisis response measures (Bromet, 2016; Chernov & Sornette, 2016). …”

Section: Parallels Between Tmi Chernobyl and Fukushimamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Spread of misleading, insufficient, and/or unreliable information including conflicting reports transmitted by different authorities and experts leading to the collapse of trust in official information and government officials (Bromet, 2016; Chernov & Sornette, 2016; Lazarev, 1999; Maeda et al, 2019; Tsubokura et al, 2018; Yumiya et al, 2019). A recent study noted increased radiation anxiety for individuals relying on word of mouth compared to media for information (Fukasawa et al, 2019; Tsubokura et al, 2018).…”

Section: Parallels Between Tmi Chernobyl and Fukushimamentioning

confidence: 99%

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What have we learned about health effects more than 40 years after the Three Mile Island nuclear accident? A scoping and process review

Wilson

LaBarge

Stahl

et al. 2022

Risk Hazard & Crisis Pub Pol

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The worst commercial nuclear accident and the first large‐scale voluntary evacuation due to a nuclear event in United States history took place at Three Mile Island (TMI) in 1979. Within a short time, there was a well‐recognized impact of the TMI accident by public health officials and academicians upon mental health of nearby residents—particularly pregnant women. Despite long‐term and detailed follow‐up of this population for cancer outcomes, community concerns continue. Herein, we conduct a scoping and process review of fetal/maternal/child health (MCH) and cancer health outcomes, and consider the findings in light of subsequent accidents. The process evaluation is enhanced by unpublished transcripts of the Pennsylvania Department of Health's (PA DOH) TMI Advisory Panel on Health Research Studies (APHRS), comprised of experts from prominent US research institutions. Research and process strengths included a rapid initial house‐to‐house health census of over 35,000 individuals, intense medical record reviews, in‐person interviews of pregnant women within a 10‐mile radius, and coordination of multiple parallel studies by PA DOH with APHRS collaboration. Major limitations include (1) errors in causal inference, (2) limited radiation exposure assessment, (3) failure to include TMI never‐exposed groups in risk estimates, (4) exclusion of vulnerable populations, (5) nonindexed/never published investigations, and (6) government‐stated need for long‐term MCH follow‐up that was never conducted. Lingering unaddressed actual and perceived risks were identified as major common themes among TMI, Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents. These findings underscore the need for the establishment of mechanisms to ensure long‐term follow‐up and preaccident protocols designed to address major health issues with inclusion of vulnerable populations and perceived risks.

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Comparative qualitative and quantitative analysis of guidelines for nuclear accident recovery

Canet,

Takada,

Yasutaka

2024

Radioprotection

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Nuclear accidents have impacted the territory, population, and environment over a long time. With their global and multifaceted impacts, increasing preparedness for such events will help achieve better and more sustainable long-term recovery. Recovery and response guidelines exist internationally for preparing for nuclear accidents. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of 13 recovery guidelines realised in this study help to better understand the general emphasis points, specificities, and potential topics that need to be further developed in the wake of sustainable remediation. Currently, recovery and remediation prioritise waste management, population protection, and well-being, with less focus on environmental and economic aspects. To meet sustainable needs, these less-emphasised areas should be addressed to foster more comprehensive and resilient recovery strategies.

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Emotional Consequences of Three Mile Island and Chernobyl: Lessons Learned for Fukushima

Cited by 3 publications

References 49 publications

Adolescence Outside the Restricted Zone: A Narrative Study of Nuclear Disaster Response Trajectories intertwining with Life (TiL)

Adolescence Outside the Restricted Zone: A Narrative Study of Nuclear Disaster Response Trajectories intertwining with Life (TiL)

What have we learned about health effects more than 40 years after the Three Mile Island nuclear accident? A scoping and process review

Comparative qualitative and quantitative analysis of guidelines for nuclear accident recovery

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