Depopulation with Rapid Aging in Minamisoma City After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Ishikawa, Kazunobu; Kanazawa, Yukio; Morimoto, Shigeto; Takahashi, Takashi

doi:10.1111/jgs.12012

Cited by 26 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…There are many families who are being forced to live separately to protect their children from radioactive materials. Thus, Fukushima is faced with longterm depopulation due to the health risk caused by the deposition of radionuclides (Ishikawa et al 2012). We extend our heartfelt sympathy to all people who were affected by this earthquake and tsunami and by the subsequent nuclear radiation from damaged reactors in Fukushima.…”

Section: Tragedy In Fukushimamentioning

confidence: 87%

The Great East-Japan Earthquake and Devastating Tsunami: An Update and Lessons from the Past Great Earthquakes in Japan since 1923

Ishigaki

Higashi

Sakamoto

et al. 2013

Tohoku J. Exp. Med.

120

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Section: Tragedy In Fukushimamentioning

confidence: 87%

The Great East-Japan Earthquake and Devastating Tsunami: An Update and Lessons from the Past Great Earthquakes in Japan since 1923

Ishigaki

Higashi

Sakamoto

et al. 2013

Tohoku J. Exp. Med.

120

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“…The notification was also disseminated on the hospital website and the city's public relations magazine. This city had a population of 72,000 before the earthquake, which dropped to approximately 10,000 in April 2011, and recovered to 46,720 in October 2013 [16]. The screening results from this hospital for the first year after the disaster have been published in a previous study [9].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Reduction of High Levels of Internal Radio-Contamination by Dietary Intervention in Residents of Areas Affected by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Disaster: A Case Series

et al. 2014

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Maintaining low levels of chronic internal contamination among residents in radiation-contaminated areas after a nuclear disaster is a great public health concern. However, the efficacy of reduction measures for individual internal contamination remains unknown. To reduce high levels of internal radiation exposure in a group of individuals exposed through environmental sources, we performed careful dietary intervention with identification of suspected contaminated foods, as part of mass voluntary radiation contamination screenings and counseling program in Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital and Hirata Central Hospital. From a total of 30,622 study participants, only 9 residents displayed internal cesium-137 (Cs-137) levels of more than 50 Bq/kg. The median level of internal Cs-137 contamination in these residents at the initial screening was 4,830 Bq/body (range: 2,130–15,918 Bq/body) and 69.6 Bq/kg (range: 50.7–216.3 Bq/kg). All these residents with high levels of internal contamination consumed homegrown produce without radiation inspection, and often collected mushrooms in the wild or cultivated them on bed-logs in their homes. They were advised to consume distributed food mainly and to refrain from consuming potentially contaminated foods without radiation inspection and local produces under shipment restrictions such as mushrooms, mountain vegetables, and meat of wild life. A few months after the intervention, re-examination of Cs levels revealed remarkable reduction of internal contamination in all residents. Although the levels of internal radiation exposure appear to be minimal amongst most residents in Fukushima, a subset of the population, who unknowingly consumed highly contaminated foodstuffs, experienced high levels of internal contamination. There seem to be similarities in dietary preferences amongst residents with high internal contamination levels, and intervention based on pre- and post-test counseling and dietary advice from medical care providers about risky food intake appears to be a feasible option for changing residents' dietary practices, subsequently resulting in a reduction in Cs internal contamination levels.

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“…Our patient experienced an exacerbation of alcohol use disorder. Interestingly, he was exposed to social isolation after the disaster, which is a risk factor for alcohol use disorder 11. As shown in this case, elderly residents are vulnerable to social isolation due to mass evacuation among young residents after a nuclear disaster 12.…”

Section: Global Health Problem Analysismentioning

confidence: 83%

Alcohol use disorder due to social isolation after a nuclear disaster in Fukushima

et al. 2015

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SUMMARYIt is well-known that a nuclear disaster causes health problems including cancer, however, information on mental disorders linked to a nuclear disaster is limited. On 11 March 2011, there was a serious nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima, Japan. Subsequently, in October 2012, a 78-year-old man living 31 km from the plant was admitted to the hospital with head trauma. This was his third physical trauma since the nuclear accident. A thorough interview revealed that his alcohol intake had increased after the disaster, suggesting that his injuries might be related to alcohol use. The diagnosis of alcohol use disorder was established based on the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. He had been exposed to social isolation after evacuation of his neighbourhood. Using education and intervention, he was successfully treated. We should recognise that a nuclear disaster might cause social isolation among the elderly, leading to mental disorders and alcohol use disorder. Early diagnosis and intervention might be beneficial for individuals presenting the above symptoms. CASE PRESENTATIONIn the last few decades, the construction of nuclear power plants has increased around the world, 1 resulting in greater risk of nuclear accidents owing to human errors, natural disasters or terrorist attacks. A nuclear disaster can cause various health problems including leukaemia 2 and thyroid cancer 3 among children. A recent study suggests that a nuclear disaster might worsen chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus or hyperlipidaemia as a result of adopting an inactive, indoor lifestyle in an attempt to reduce outdoor radiation exposures. 4 In addition, it may cause mental problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder in addition to physical problems.5 However, information on the longterm impact of a nuclear disaster on mental status is limited. On 11 March 2011, eastern Japan was struck by multiple disasters comprising of an earthquake and a tsunami, followed by a nuclear power plant accident. Widespread radioactive contamination caused by the nuclear disaster affected the local community of Minamisoma City in Fukushima in particular, as it is located 10-30 km north of the damaged nuclear power plants. 8 The government of Japan ordered mandatory evacuation in the area within 20 km radius of the plant. This was done as a precaution against health problems for evacuees.9 In contrast, support was relatively limited to those residents who lived outside of the evacuation area, and there is little information on their subsequent health problems. We report a case of an elderly man who lived outside of the evacuation area, whose alcohol use disorder was exacerbated after the accident.In October 2012, a 78-year-old man with a history of hypertension and dyslipidemia, and living in Minamisoma City, presented with head trauma to our hospital. The patient had lost his wife 5 years earlier and lived with his 53-year-old daughter. Prior to the disaster, he visited our hospital regularly for the...

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Depopulation with Rapid Aging in Minamisoma City After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Cited by 26 publications

References 5 publications

The Great East-Japan Earthquake and Devastating Tsunami: An Update and Lessons from the Past Great Earthquakes in Japan since 1923

The Great East-Japan Earthquake and Devastating Tsunami: An Update and Lessons from the Past Great Earthquakes in Japan since 1923

Reduction of High Levels of Internal Radio-Contamination by Dietary Intervention in Residents of Areas Affected by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Disaster: A Case Series

Alcohol use disorder due to social isolation after a nuclear disaster in Fukushima

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