Public health after a nuclear disaster: beyond radiation risks

Leppold, Claire; Tanimoto, Tetsuya; Tsubokura, Masaharu

doi:10.2471/blt.15.168187

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Here, we would like to echo the points proposed in our previous study that the radiation monitoring can include or shift its purpose from screening and dose assessment to concern/anxiety reduction over radiation contamination by utilizing the radiation monitoring as a risk communication tool to approach those who may be concerned about radiation risks [11,21]. In contrast with the findings of only marginal internal radiation contamination in the public, it appears that the increasing burden of mental health problems may outweigh the radiation risks [35,36]. Anxiety about radiation risks can cause psychological distress [37], in particular, among forced-evacuees post-nuclear incidents [38].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a Long-Term Strategy for Voluntary-Based Internal Radiation Contamination Monitoring: Representativeness of the Monitoring Results in Fukushima, Japan

Nomura

Tsubokura²,

Murakami

et al. 2017

IJERPH

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Following Japan’s 2011 Fukushima nuclear incident, voluntary participation, rather than mandatory, was adopted as the default scenario for individual radiation monitoring. We evaluated the representativeness of the internal monitoring results from voluntary participants in Minamisoma City, which is located 10–40 km from the Fukushima nuclear plant. Of approximately 70,000 individuals who were residing in Minamisoma City before the incident, a total of 19,263 residents (aged ≥21 years) participated in the monitoring from 1 October 2011 to 31 March 2015. Based on regression projection techniques with the available data obtained from the voluntary participants, the modeled probabilities of radiocesium (Cs) detection in October 2011 for Cs-137 and Cs-134 were 66.9% and 52.9%, respectively, which declined dramatically within a year following the incident. The rate of decline had stagnated since mid-2012, and the probability was close to zero after mid-2014. Sufficient agreement between the modeled probabilities of Cs detection (for the whole population) versus the measured Cs levels (for voluntary participants) was observed, except for Cs-134 in October 2011, indicating that the voluntary monitoring participant group was a good representative sample. Our findings affirmed the clinical importance of voluntary-based monitoring as a screening and dose-assessment tool in a post-nuclear incident. Our study informs societal decision-making regarding the long-term maintenance of the monitoring program under the current low exposure levels.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a Long-Term Strategy for Voluntary-Based Internal Radiation Contamination Monitoring: Representativeness of the Monitoring Results in Fukushima, Japan

Nomura

Tsubokura²,

Murakami

et al. 2017

IJERPH

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“…Confusion about evidence can lead to less organized practice. Difficulties have existed in determining the best course of action following the nuclear disaster, in both short-term decisions such as nursing home and hospital evacuations, and long-term decisions such as how to advise patients in radio-contaminated areas on lifestyle choices 6 , 10 and how long-term radiation-related population health screenings should be carried out 11 12 …”

Section: Reportmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…7 However, there has been publication of controversial and contradictory findings; for instance, one study found an increased risk of thyroid cancer in children from Fukushima, 8 a finding that contradicts the UNSCEAR reports 7 and empirical studies on the internal radiation contamination levels in the same population. 5 The study on thyroid cancer was later criticized for faulty study design by the scientific community, 6,9 yet its findings were widely reported in the media and caused confusion among both scientists and the general public. 6,9 Confusion about evidence can lead to less organized practice.…”

Section: Reportmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Great East Japan Earthquake, Tsunamis, and Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Disaster: Lessons for Evidence Integration from a WADEM 2017 Presentation and Panel Discussion

Leppold

Ochi

Nomura

et al. 2018

Prehosp. Disaster med.

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In April 2017, some of the health impacts of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunamis, and resultant Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster (Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan) were presented at the 19th Congress of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM; Madison, Wisconsin USA) in Toronto, Canada. A panel discussion was then opened by asking audience members about their experiences in their own countries, and how they would suggest taking steps to reach the goals of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. This paper summarizes the presentation and panel discussion, with a particular focus on the common problems identified in understanding and reducing health risks from disasters in multiple countries, such as the ethical and practical difficulties in decision making on evacuating vulnerable populations that arose similarly during the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 and Hurricane Ike's approach to Galveston (Texas USA) in 2008. This paper also highlights the need for greater integration of research, for example through increased review and collation of evidence from different disaster settings to identify common problems and possible solutions, which was identified in this panel session as a precursor to fulfilling the goals of the Sendai Framework.Leppold C, Ochi S, Nomura S, Murray V. The Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunamis, and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster: lessons for evidence integration from a WADEM 2017 presentation and panel discussion. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(4):424-427.

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“…During this early “emergency exposure phase”, information on radiation exposure and the subsequent health risks was confusing and conflicting (Leppold, Taminoto, & Tsubokura, ). Because PHNs had insufficient knowledge about radiation and radiation protection, they struggled with how to support people in the affected communities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Through the existing exposure situation, beginning April 2012 to the present, Fukushima PHNs continued to provide care to residents in the neighboring prefectures where they were employed even though they were also anxious about radiation (Yoshida et al, ). This involved supporting over 150,000 people (World Nuclear News, ), including those who had health problems related to concerns about radiation exposure and had experienced upsetting lifestyle changes due to the evacuation (Asahara, ; Leppold et al, ). The experiences of the PHNs should prove valuable for disaster education.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An experiential approach to developing radiological content for public health nursing: Lessons from a nuclear disaster

Kawasaki

Kitamiya

Yoshida

et al. 2020

Public Health Nursing

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Objective This study identified the radiological content required for PHNs and public health nursing students based on PHNs’ experiences caring for people affected by the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. Design We used qualitative research, interviews, and content analysis. Sample Participants were eight PHNs employed by local governments in Fukushima and neighboring prefectures. Results Six content themes regarding the nuclear disaster were identified: (a) basic knowledge about radiation, (b) public health nursing activities in emergency exposure situations, (c) management in emergency exposure situations, (d) consultation to support residents affected by the nuclear disaster, (e) activities in the existing exposure situations, and (f) disaster preparedness in the planned exposure situations. Necessary content shifted depending on the phase of the nuclear disaster recovery. Conclusions The use of the experiences of PHNs after the nuclear power plant accident to inform PHNs and public health nursing students will enable PHNs to respond appropriately and support people without difficulties. Comprehensive radiation content is needed to address the range of situations caused by nuclear disaster.

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Public health after a nuclear disaster: beyond radiation risks

Cited by 8 publications

References 8 publications

Towards a Long-Term Strategy for Voluntary-Based Internal Radiation Contamination Monitoring: Representativeness of the Monitoring Results in Fukushima, Japan

Towards a Long-Term Strategy for Voluntary-Based Internal Radiation Contamination Monitoring: Representativeness of the Monitoring Results in Fukushima, Japan

The Great East Japan Earthquake, Tsunamis, and Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Disaster: Lessons for Evidence Integration from a WADEM 2017 Presentation and Panel Discussion

An experiential approach to developing radiological content for public health nursing: Lessons from a nuclear disaster

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