Communicating Radiation Risk to the Population of Fukushima

Educational dialogue on public perception of nuclear radiation

PURPOSE

Across the world, nuclear radiation and its effects on the population has been the topic of back-burner debates, given the strong emotional connotations involved. We believe that education is crucial for people to make informed decisions regarding nuclear energy. With a science-technology-society (STS) approach, a seminar-style educational module on Radiation and Society was formulated at Tembusu College, National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2015. This primarily aimed to equip students with the necessary analytical tools to assess evidence and thus, evaluate existing assumptions on radiation/nuclear power/nuclear energy, the effects on mankind and societal perception of radiation.

METHODS

Radiation and Society was a seminar-style module which consisted of weekly 3-hour interactive sessions for 13 weeks. Throughout the semester, students were acquainted with themes and concepts related to radiation and society, such as the historical dimensions, radiation science, role in medicine, the psychology of radiation fear, existing radiation myths, complexities in radiation disaster response, communication of risks and emergency preparedness. Discussions during the sessions covered a variety of topics, including ionizing radiation as a result of nuclear fall-out, historical contextualization of nuclear fear, and uses of radiation in (bio)medicine, STS and science communication. Field visits to research reactors and cancer centers were arranged to showcase the diverse applications of nuclear radiation. Experts involved in various related spheres of influence shared their perspectives on matters such as technological developments in emergency preparedness, nuclear reactors, and societal impacts.

RESULTS

The interactive facilitator-student sessions helped educate young minds about nuclear radiation. A post-course survey was conducted to obtain opinions of students on their perceptions of reliability and safety of nuclear energy, effectiveness of the seminar, and where radiation ranked relative to alternative energy sources. Overall findings of the survey indicated that although nuclear energy was perceived as a safe and reliable substitute, renewable energy was considered a better option. Participants felt that, as per the learning objectives, the sessions were effective in improving awareness regarding nuclear energy.

CONCLUSION

This seminar-style module equipped students with the analytical tools required to critically assess sources of knowledge and social perceptions of radiation. In addition to the concluding perceptions toward nuclear energy from the post-course survey, a pre-module/course survey to reveal changes in student attitudes is planned to aid refinement of the course in future iterations. Such educational efforts will allow students to be aware of both the pros and cons of nuclear radiation and thus, construct informed opinions.

Tailoring Digital Tools to Address the Radiation and Health Information Needs of Returnees after a Nuclear Accident

Digital tools are increasingly used for health promotion, but their utility during recovery from a nuclear disaster has yet to be established. This study analysed differences in knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward digital tools for radiation protection and health promotion, and preferences for specific application functions, among cohorts living within and outside areas affected by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station (FDNPS) accident. A needs assessment was conducted by internet survey, and responses from those affected (N = 86) and not affected (N = 253) were compared and quantified by an adjusted odds ratio (aOR), using logistic regression analyses. KAP toward the radiation-related application in the affected group had an aOR of 1.95 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12–3.38) for knowledge, and 5.71 (CI = 2.55–12.8) for practice. Conversely, toward the health-related application, the aOR of the affected group was 0.50 (CI = 0.29–0.86). The preference in the affected group was significantly lower for two application functions related to radiation measurement and two health-related functions (one about the effects of radiation in general and another about personal health advice in general): aOR range 0.43–0.50. Development of specific applications incorporating the findings from this survey was intended to foster a locally appropriate eHealth environment during recovery from the FDNPS accident.

Development of an application tool to support returnees in Fukushima

To promote radiation protection and health promotion among returning residents (returnees) in coastal areas of Fukushima, eHealth principles were used to develop a new application tool (app) that can record radiation exposure and health status while providing comprehensive support to returnees. Intended users are returnees and health and welfare workers. After assessing their needs, a flowchart and prototype for operational logic were created using commercially available software tools. Professional developers will focus on improving the user interface and ensuring data security. The finished app will be compatible with mobile telephones and tablets. Utility and ease of use are paramount to serve returnees of all ages effectively.

Experiences of crisis communication during radiation emergency and risk communication for recovery of the community in Fukushima

Since 2011, Nagasaki University (Nagasaki, Japan) has been assisting the reconstruction efforts of Kawauchi Village (Fukushima Prefecture), which was the first village to decide to return to their home town after the evacuation due to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. In April 2013, Nagasaki University and the Kawauchi Government Office concluded an agreement concerning comprehensive cooperation toward the reconstruction of the village. Furthermore, we began comprehensive support for the residents of Tomioka who returned to their hometown in 2017, and of Ohkuma town in 2020. On the basis of the experiences in Kawauchi, Tomioka and Ohkuma, it is clear that the cooperation of residents, local authorities and specialists is essential for the recovery of areas affected by the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Accumulated experiences and practices should be carefully evaluated and recorded to prepare for unexpected nuclear disasters in the future.

Usefulness of the whole-body counter for infants and small children (BABYSCAN) as a risk communication tool after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant incident

Responding to the radiation-related concerns of parents/guardians with infants/small children is an important public health issue for regional recovery after radioactive contamination. This study summarizes the results of a systematic internal contamination screening of infants/small children, aged 0-6 years, using BABYSCAN and individual counselling sessions with physicians about radiation concerns from 2014 to 2018 in Minamisoma City. Of 3,114 participants, no one was found to have internal contamination with radioactive caesium with a detection limit of 50 Bq/body. The questionnaire survey showed a decreasing trend of concerns about food contamination and playing outside as possible causes of internal contamination over time. Because people's concerns were diverse in counselling sessions, individual responses are required. This study showed that examinations using BABYSCAN provide an opportunity for direct dialogue between the parents/guardians of infants/small children and experts. This can be considered a model case for risk communication conducted by the local government after a radioactive contamination incident.

RECOVERY FROM NUCLEAR DISASTER IN FUKUSHIMA: COLLABORATION MODEL

Since 2011, Nagasaki University has been assisting the reconstruction efforts of Kawauchi Village in the Fukushima Prefecture, which was the first village to declare it safe for residents to return to their homes. In April 2013, Nagasaki University and the Kawauchi government office concluded an agreement concerning comprehensive cooperation toward reconstruction of the village. The present study evaluates the internal and external exposure doses of residents and conducted a risk communication based on each resident's radiation dose. Furthermore, researchers began a comprehensive support of Tomioka residents who have returned to their hometown in 2017. Based on the experiences in Kawauchi village, it is clear that the cooperation of residents, local authorities and specialists is essential for the recovery of areas affected by the nuclear disaster. Accumulated experiences and practices should be carefully evaluated and recorded to prepare for future unexpected nuclear disasters.

Experiences of Population Monitoring Using Whole-Body Counters in Response to the Fukushima Nuclear Accident

Whole-body counter measurements of residents of Fukushima Prefecture have been extensively performed after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in March 2011. These measurements have demonstrated that the levels of internal contamination with radioactive cesium (Cs and Cs) in the residents are very low. This article provides an overview of and lessons learned from these whole-body counter measurements with emphasis on the technical problems encountered, and it discusses the effective use of whole-body counters for assessing the internal thyroid doses of individuals when direct measurements of I in the thyroid are difficult or impossible to implement for the total affected population in a short time after a nuclear reactor accident. The application of this dose reconstruction method requires determining the intake ratio of I to cesium isotopes at appropriate times and considers the short biological half-lives of cesium isotopes, in particular for children.

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident and school bullying of affected children and adolescents: the need for continuous radiation education

The health threats of radiation-release incidents are diverse and long term. In addition to direct radiation effects, it is imperative to manage the indirect effects of radiation such as stigma, prejudice and broader mental health impacts. Six years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident of March 2011, bullying caused by stigma and prejudice toward evacuees, including children, has become a social problem in Japan. This phenomenon may be associated with the fact that knowledge about radiation has still not reached the general public, and to a potential lack of motivation among Japanese citizens to learn about radiation and bullying. Continuous and sustained education regarding radiation is warranted in order to enhance the general knowledge level about the effects of radiation in Japan after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, and this education will become an important reference for education after future nuclear disasters.

Risk Communication Strategies: Lessons Learned from Previous Disasters with a Focus on the Fukushima Radiation Accident

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

It has been difficult to both mitigate the health consequences and effectively provide health risk information to the public affected by the Fukushima radiological disaster. Often, there are contrasting public health ethics within these activities which complicate risk communication. Although no risk communication strategy is perfect in such disasters, the ethical principles of risk communication provide good practical guidance.

FINDINGS

These discussions will be made in the context of similar lessons learned after radiation exposures in Goiania, Brazil, in 1987; the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident, Ukraine, in 1986; and the attack at the World Trade Center, New York, USA, in 2001. Neither of the two strategies is perfect nor fatally flawed. Yet, this discussion and lessons from prior events should assist decision makers with navigating difficult risk communication strategies in similar environmental health disasters.