Risk perception of the pre-distribution of stable iodine to guardians of children living around the Genkai Nuclear Power Plant, Saga Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

Iodine thyroid blocking (ITB) is effective for preventing childhood thyroid cancer when radioactive iodine is released into the environment during a nuclear power plant accident. Japan employs the pre-distribution of stable iodine (PDSI) to residents living near nuclear power plants; however, the number of residents who have actually received stable iodine to date remains limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of guardians of children living around the Genkai Nuclear Power Plant (GNPP) in Japan. We distributed self-administered questionnaires regarding perception of risks associated with administration of stable iodide to approximated 400 guardians of children aged 0–6 in 10 kindergartens located in four municipalities. We obtained responses from 286 guardians, and after excluding invalid responses, 247 were included in the analysis. Logistic regression analysis revealed that living within 5 km of the GNPP (odds ratio [OR] = 4.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.43–8.24), awareness of preferential implementation of ITB to children (OR = 3.33, 95%CI: 1.78–6.22), and awareness of the prophylaxis booklet published by the local government (OR = 2.53, 95%CI: 1.37–4.68) were independently associated with PDSI for children. The main reasons for not receiving PDSI were “anxiety about the side effects of stable iodine” (40.2%), “distrust of the effectiveness of SI” (23.5%), “complicated procedures for receiving stable iodine” (15.7%) and “missed the date for receiving stable iodine” (8.8%). In the case of ITB implementation during a nuclear emergency, it is necessary to clarify the risk perceptions of guardians and adapt risk communication accordingly.

Awareness of the implementation of stable iodine prophylaxis by parental guardians living in the urgent protective action planning zone of an operating nuclear power plant in Japan

“…In our previous study of the PAZ of GNPP, we found that knowing that children are a priority for implementing SI prophylaxis and knowing about the booklet regarding SI published by the local government were independently associated with PDSI for children. In contrast, we asked the guardians living in the PAZ of the GNPP who did not receive PDSI about their reasons, and they responded that they had anxiety about the side effects of SI, distrusted the effectiveness of SI, and thought that the procedures for receiving SI were complicated [18]. The local government of the area in which an NPP is located has the responsibility for planning protection against ionizing radiation, holding nuclear energy disaster prevention drills, or annual meetings for local residents.…”