WHO’s public health agenda in response to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident

Deventer, Emilie van; Pérez, María del Rosario; Tritscher, Angelika; Fukushima, Kazuko; Carr, Zhanat

doi:10.1088/0952-4746/32/1/n119

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…After the Fukushima tragedy, the potential adverse health effects of radiation exposure became a major worldwide concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently developing a health risk assessment to provide a preliminary evaluation of radiation exposure [ 28 ]. In particular, the WHO has conducted studies to estimate the doses of radiation exposure received by residents in the area around the Fukushima plant, studies on the management of radioactive waste, studies to improve the health care program/plans for Fukushima residents, and studies to minimize the adverse health effects of radiation exposure [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Protective Effect of Onion Extract on Bleomycin-Induced Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity in Human Lymphocytes

Cho

Woo

Lee

et al. 2016

IJERPH

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Following one of the world's largest nuclear accidents, occured at Fukushima, Japan in 2011, a significant scientific effort has focused on minimizing the potential adverse health effects due to radiation exposure. The use of natural dietary antioxidants to reduce the risk of radiation-induced oxidative DNA damage is a simple strategy for minimizing radiation-related cancer rates and improving overall health. The onion is among the richest sources of dietary flavonoids and is an important food for increasing their overall intake. Therefore, we examined the effect of an onion extract on cyto-and geno-toxicity in human lymphocytes treated with bleomycin (BLM), a radiomimetic agent. In addition, we measured the frequency of micronuclei (MN) and DNA damage following treatment with BLM using a cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay and a single cell gel electrophoresis assay. We observed a significant increase in cell viability in lymphocytes treated with onion extract then exposed to BLM compared to cells treated with BLM alone. The frequency of BLM induced MN and DNA damage increased in a dose-dependent manner; however, when lymphocytes were pretreated with onion extract (10 and 20 µL/mL), the frequency of BLM-induced MN was decreased at all doses of BLM and DNA damage was decreased at 3 µg/mL of BLM. These results suggest that onion extract may have protective effects against BLM-induced cyto-and genotoxicity in human lymphocytes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Protective Effect of Onion Extract on Bleomycin-Induced Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity in Human Lymphocytes

Cho

Woo

Lee

et al. 2016

IJERPH

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“…In other words, anxieties over radiation, unexplained physical symptoms, and subjective health concerns have all been identified among residents in exposed areas[ 6 ]. Even after this disaster, the World Health Organization has cited mental health as a major challenge [ 7 , 8 ]. The earthquake and tsunami in Fukushima Prefecture left residents severely traumatized, and the sustained leakage of radioactive material due to a succession of accidents at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant may be a significant source of fear and anxiety.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Severe Psychological Distress of Evacuees in Evacuation Zone Caused by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident: The Fukushima Health Management Survey

Kunii¹,

Suzuki²,

Shiga³

et al. 2016

PLoS ONE

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BackgroundFollowing the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant has continued to affect the mental health status of residents in the evacuation zone. To examine the mental health status of evacuee after the nuclear accident, we conducted the Mental Health and Lifestyle Survey as part of the ongoing Fukushima Health Management Survey.MethodsWe measured mental health status using the Kessler 6-item psychological distress scale (K6) in a total of 73,569 (response rate: 40.7%) evacuees aged 15 and over who lived in the evacuation zone in Fukushima Prefecture. We then dichotomized responders using a 12/13 cutoff on the K6, and compared the proportion of K6 scores ≥13 and ≤12 in each risk factor including demographic information, socioeconomic variables, and disaster-related variables. We also performed bivariate analyses between mental health status and possible risk factors using the chi-square test. Furthermore, we performed multivariate regression analysis using modified Poisson regression models.ResultsThe median K6 score was 5 (interquartile range: 1–10). The number of psychological distress was 8,717 (14.6%). We found that significant differences in the prevalence of psychological distress by almost all survey items, including disaster-related risk factors, most of which were also associated with increased Prevalence ratios (PRs). Additionally, we found that psychological distress in each evacuation zone was significantly positively associated with the radiation levels in their environment (r = 0.768, p = 0.002).ConclusionThe earthquake, tsunami and subsequent nuclear accident likely caused severe psychological distress among residents in the evacuation zone in Fukushima Prefecture. The close association between psychological distress and the radiation levels shows that the nuclear accident seriously influenced the mental health of the residents, which might be exacerbated by increased risk perception. To provide prompt and appropriate support, continued psychosocial intervention for evacuees is strongly recommended.

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“…The primary role of the WHO is to direct international health within the UN system and act as the UN’s directing and coordinating authority on international health work. 16 The WHO’s objective is that all people attain the highest possible level of health, which the WHO defines as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” The global agenda of the WHO includes the following: promoting health development; fostering health security; strengthening health systems; harnessing research, information, and evidence; enhancing partnerships; and improving performance. In the case of a nuclear or radiological emergency, the role of the WHO is to provide the following: advice and assistance with public health surveillance and monitoring, risk assessment and interventions to protect human health (including food and drinking water restrictions, access to health care services, and acquisition and distribution of pharmaceuticals), diagnosis and treatment of radiation injuries and internal contamination, biological and clinical dosimetry, mitigation of psychological impact, control of food and feed, long-term follow-up programs, and provision of information on matters pertaining to human health.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The primary role of the WHO is to direct international health within the UN system and act as the UN's directing and coordinating authority on international health work. 16 The WHO's objective is that all people attain the highest possible level of health, which the WHO defines as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." The global agenda of the WHO includes the following: promoting health development; fostering health security; strengthening health systems; harnessing research, information, and evidence; enhancing partnerships; and improving performance.…”

Section: World Health Organizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Roles and Activities of International Organizations After the Fukushima Accident

Tanigawa

Lochard²,

Abdel‐Wahab

et al. 2016

Asia Pac J Public Health

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After the March 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, overseas experts and representatives of international organizations visited Japan to provide advice, technical support, and resources. Several international meetings on radiological protection and health issues have since been held in Fukushima to provide further advice. The content discussed has changed alongside local developments in health-related issues from radiation health effects and radiological protection to risk communication and psychological, public health, and social issues. The support of international organizations and experts has been valuable in implementing public health and support programs in Fukushima. The Fukushima accident showed that after a nuclear accident, authorities need to balance the risks of radiation with other health effects and develop programs to mitigate the overall effects on health (whole-health management), but there was little evidence of the importance of this at the time. Future research should examine international collaboration to assess this.

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WHO’s public health agenda in response to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident

Cited by 9 publications

References 1 publication

Protective Effect of Onion Extract on Bleomycin-Induced Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity in Human Lymphocytes

Protective Effect of Onion Extract on Bleomycin-Induced Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity in Human Lymphocytes

Severe Psychological Distress of Evacuees in Evacuation Zone Caused by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident: The Fukushima Health Management Survey

Roles and Activities of International Organizations After the Fukushima Accident

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