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Shimmura H, Tsubokura M, Kato S, Akiyama J, Nomura S, Mori J, Tanimoto T, Abe K, Sakai S, Kawaguchi H, Tokiwa M. Whole body counter assessment of internal radiocontamination in patients with end-stage renal disease living in areas affected by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster: a retrospective observational study. BMJ Open 2015; 5:e009745. [PMID: 26644125 PMCID: PMC4679891 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess internal radiocontamination of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who were regularly taking haemodialysis (HD) and living in areas affected by the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant after the Great East Japan earthquake on 11 March 2011. METHODS Internal radiocontamination in 111 patients with ESRD regularly taking HD at Jyoban Hospital in Iwaki city, Fukushima from July 2012 to November 2012 was assessed with a whole body counter (WBC). The maximum annual effective dose was calculated from the detected Cs-137 levels. Interviews concerning patient dietary preferences and outdoor activities were also conducted. RESULTS Among the 111 patients tested, internal radiocontamination with Cs-137 was detected in two participants, but the levels were marginal and just exceeded the detection limit (250 Bq/body). The tentatively calculated maximum annual effective dose ranged from 0.008 to 0.009 mSv/year, which is far below the 1 mSv/year limit set by the government of Japan. Relative to 238 non-ESRD participants, patients with ERSD had significantly more opportunities to consume locally grown produce that was not distributed to the market (p<0.01). However, the percentage of patients with ESRD with detectable Cs (1.8%) was lower than that for non-ESRD participants (3.8%), although this difference was not significant (p=0.51). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that internal radiocontamination levels and the calculated annual additional effective doses were negligible for patients with ESRD taking HD in areas affected by the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant. Although HD is suggested to promote Cs-137 excretion, continuous inspection of locally grown produce together with WBC screening for radiocontamination should be continued for patients with ESRD regularly taking HD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Masaharu Tsubokura
- Department of Radiation Protection, Soma Central Hospital, Soma, Fukushima, Japan
- Division of Social Communication System for Advanced Clinical Research, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Radiation Protection, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Shigeaki Kato
- Jyoban Hospital, Tokiwa Foundation, Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Radiation Protection, Soma Central Hospital, Soma, Fukushima, Japan
| | | | - Shuhei Nomura
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jinichi Mori
- Jyoban Hospital, Tokiwa Foundation, Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan
| | | | - Koichiro Abe
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuji Sakai
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Michio Tokiwa
- Jyoban Hospital, Tokiwa Foundation, Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan
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Abstract
A present global public health concern is the adverse effect from nuclear leakage crisis in Japan. Based on the previous data on a previous famous nuclear crisis, Chernobyl crisis, the chronic renal disorder in affected population is an interesting topic in nephrology. Here, the author briefly reviews and discusses on the chronic renal disorder and nuclear denotation. Disturbance to the renal cell, alteration of renal function, and disorder of nephrological system in offsprings of exposed subjects are the three main focused topics.
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