Health effects of radiation and other health problems in the aftermath of nuclear accidents, with an emphasis on Fukushima

Abstract

437 nuclear power plants are in operation at present around the world to meet increasing energy demands. Unfortunately, five major nuclear accidents have occurred in the past--ie, at Kyshtym (Russia [then USSR], 1957), Windscale Piles (UK, 1957), Three Mile Island (USA, 1979), Chernobyl (Ukraine [then USSR], 1986), and Fukushima (Japan, 2011). The effects of these accidents on individuals and societies are diverse and enduring. Accumulated evidence about radiation health effects on atomic bomb survivors and other radiation-exposed people has formed the basis for national and international regulations about radiation protection. However, past experiences suggest that common issues were not necessarily physical health problems directly attributable to radiation exposure, but rather psychological and social effects. Additionally, evacuation and long-term displacement created severe health-care problems for the most vulnerable people, such as hospital inpatients and elderly people.

The Hiroshima/Nagasaki Survivor Studies: Discrepancies Between Results and General Perception

“…As a result there has been no exhaustive and systematic follow-up, the exact radiation exposure of most people is unknown, and the estimates of the associated health effects vary wildly (Williams 2008). The Fukushima accident also resulted in the release of large amounts of radioactivity, and in exposure of the surrounding population to a combination of irradiation and contamination (Hasegawa et al 2015). Thorough followup studies have been initiated but uncertainties in the estimation of radiation exposure and the fact that this has been quite low (,10 mSv) for most of the exposed persons (excluding the personnel working in the nuclear facility) (Tsubokura et al, 2012) will limit the possible conclusions.…”

Public health after a nuclear disaster: beyond radiation risks

“…Although numerous studies have been published, the health risks of radiation are still not well understood, and controversy is abundant even within the realms of scientific research. No deaths or acute health effects related to radiation exposure were reported in the general public immediately after the disaster 1 . In October 2015, the results of two studies concerning the children of Fukushima were reported within two days of each other; one found no detectable internal radiation contamination, 2 while the other found an increased risk of thyroid cancer 3 .…”

“…The event brought many changes to the affected region, including widespread social disruption through the breakdown of communities (due to the evacuation and the separation of families) and social stigma attached to being from Fukushima (largely due to incorrect assumptions about radiation exposure and risk) 1 . These social effects of the nuclear accident have been documented, 1 , 6 and hold great implications for health. After the catastrophic nuclear accident in April 1986 in the city of Chernobyl in Ukraine, it was found that the increased mental health burden was the most severe of any of the post-disaster public health problems 1 .…”

“…These social effects of the nuclear accident have been documented, 1 , 6 and hold great implications for health. After the catastrophic nuclear accident in April 1986 in the city of Chernobyl in Ukraine, it was found that the increased mental health burden was the most severe of any of the post-disaster public health problems 1 . Fukushima appears to be facing a similar situation 1 .…”

Measurement of Fukushima-related radioactive contamination in aquatic species

“…There have been suggestions that a reported excess of cases of thyroid cancer is attributable to exposure to radioiodine (12), but this conclusion is suspect (13). More generally, the psychosocial impact of accidents (and not just nuclear ones) on the health of those individuals affected is an aspect of medical response that needs greater attention (14,15).…”