Health effects triggered by tritium: how do we get public understanding based on scientifically supported evidence?

Abstract

The Commission for ‘Corresponding to Radiation Disaster of the Japanese Radiation Research Society’ formulated a description of potential health effects triggered by tritium. This was in response to the issue of discharging water containing tritium filtered by the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), generated and stored in Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station after the accident. In this review article, the contents of the description, originally provided in Japanese, which gives clear and detailed explanation about potential health effects triggered by tritium based on reliable scientific evidence in an understandable way for the public, were summarized. Then, additional information about biochemical or environmental behavior of organically bound tritium (OBT) were summarized in order to help scientists who communicate with general public.

Current and emerging technologies for the remediation of difficult-to-measure radionuclides at nuclear sites

“…53 Whilst 3 H does not accumulate in specific parts of the body, the 10 day and 40 day biological half-lives of tritiated water and OBT, respectively, make the radionuclide a potential hazard once inside humans. 54 Defining the specific risk that DTMRs pose can be complex due to a number of variables, including the exposure pathway to an individual (inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, etc. ), the body part(s) that come into contact with radiation, the age of the person (children and the elderly may potentially be more affected compared to adults), etc.…”

Cyto-Genotoxicity of Tritiated Stainless Steel and Cement Particles in Human Lung Cell Models

“…As an isotope of hydrogen, tritium forms HTO molecules that behave like water in the body. Once in the body, the biological half-life of tritium is estimated to be about 10 days, as HTO is incorporated into the body and eliminated relatively quickly, like H 2 O [ 3 ]. A fraction of tritium may also be incorporated into organic molecules, forming organically bound tritium (OBT).…”

“…A fraction of tritium may also be incorporated into organic molecules, forming organically bound tritium (OBT). OBT can remain in the body for longer periods of time, with two biological half-lives of about 40 days and about a year, depending on the turnover of organic molecules that have incorporated the tritium [ 3 ]. Following OBT formation, the elimination of tritium could be slowed down, resulting in a higher absorbed radiation dose and more severe cell damage.…”

Latest Topics of Interest on Radiation Risk Communication: A Decade After Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

“…This is not only of concern to the people who lived around the FDNPP, but also has been an international issue for the past decade. 2 We have observed that the topics of interest related to radiation have gradually changed since the accident. 3 It is essential to pay attention to the most recent topics of concern or interest and to use them to develop effective risk communication efforts and to prepare for future nuclear disasters.…”

“…This is not only of concern to the people who lived around the FDNPP, but also has been an international issue for the past decade. 2…”