Risk perceptions regarding radiation exposure among Japanese schoolteachers living around the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant after the Fukushima accident

Ten years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident on 11 March 2011. Okuma is a town hosting the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The evacuation order for Okuma was partially lifted in April 2019. To clarify factors associated with risk perceptions of radiation among the residents of Okuma, we conducted a questionnaire survey in January 2021. Our results revealed that resident anxieties regarding the health effects of radiation exposure from living in Okuma were independently associated with positive PCL-Specific score, recognition of the consultation services with radiation experts in the municipal government of Okuma, and planned request for consultation service regarding radiation exposure by radiation experts, along with being female and living with a child. It is important for radiation experts to promote periodic communication of risks with individuals on a small scale to provide accurate information about the health effects of radiation and to provide maternal and child healthcare services and support regarding child-rearing and radiation exposure, to reduce concerns about radiation exposure and facilitate healthy living and wellbeing in Okuma.

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Estimation of Dietary Intake of Radionuclides and Effectiveness of Regulation after the Fukushima Accident and in Virtual Nuclear Power Plant Accident Scenarios

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15081589 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (8) ◽

pp. 1589 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michio Murakami ◽

Takao Nirasawa ◽

Takao Yoshikane ◽

Keisuke Sueki ◽

Kimikazu Sasa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Power Plant ◽

Nuclear Power Plant ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Emergency Preparedness ◽

Nuclear Power ◽

Food Distribution ◽

Fukushima Accident ◽

Accident Scenarios ◽

Effectiveness Of Regulation

Evaluation of radiation exposure from diet is necessary under the assumption of a virtual accident as a part of emergency preparedness. Here, we developed a model with complete consideration of the regional food trade using deposition data simulated by a transport model, and estimated the dietary intake of radionuclides and the effectiveness of regulation (e.g., restrictions on the distribution of foods) after the Fukushima accident and in virtual accident scenarios. We also evaluated the dilution factors (i.e., ratios of contaminated foods to consumed foods) and cost-effectiveness of regulation as basic information for setting regulatory values. The doses estimated under actual emission conditions were generally consistent with those observed in food-duplicate and market-basket surveys within a factor of three. Regulation of restricted food distribution resulted in reductions in the doses of 54–65% in the nearest large city to the nuclear power plant. The dilution factors under actual emission conditions were 4.4% for radioiodine and 2.7% for radiocesium, which are ~20 times lower than those used in the Japanese provisional regulation values after the Fukushima accident. Strict regulation worsened the cost-effectiveness for both radionuclides. This study highlights the significance and utility of the developed model for a risk analysis of emergency preparedness and regulation.

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Research and Software Implementation of Seismic Probabilistic Safety Analysis Quantification Method

Volume 4: Nuclear Safety, Security, Non-Proliferation and Cyber Security; Risk Management ◽

10.1115/icone25-66973 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Wei Gao ◽

Guofeng Tang ◽

Jingyu Zhang ◽

Qinfang Zhang

Keyword(s):

Power Plant ◽

Nuclear Power Plant ◽

Nuclear Power ◽

Fragility Curves ◽

Safety Analysis ◽

Fukushima Accident ◽

Binary Decision ◽

Plant Level ◽

Accurate Quantification ◽

Probabilistic Safety

Seismic risk of nuclear power plant has drawn increasing attention after Fukushima accident. An intensive study has been carried out in this paper, including sampling of component and structure fragility based on Monte Carlo method, fragility analysis on system or plant level, convolution of seismic hazard curves and fragility curves. To derive more accurate quantification results, the binary decision diagram (BDD) algorithm was introduced into the quantification process, which effectively reduces the deficiency of the conventional method on coping with large probability events and negated logic. Seismic Probabilistic Safety Analysis (PSA/PRA) quantification software was developed based on algorithms discussed in this paper. Tests and application has been made for this software with a specific nuclear power plant seismic PSA model. The results show that this software is effective on seismic PSA quantification.

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Study on long-term radiation exposure analysis after the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident: validation of the EU long-term radiation exposure model (ERMIN)

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology ◽

10.1080/00223131.2015.1077170 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 53 (6) ◽

pp. 774-782 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Minsik Kim ◽

Ryohji Ohba ◽

Masamichi Oura ◽

Shinsuke Kato

Keyword(s):

Power Plant ◽

Nuclear Power Plant ◽

Radiation Exposure ◽

Nuclear Power ◽

Exposure Model ◽

Nuclear Power Plant Accident ◽

Exposure Analysis ◽

The Eu

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Characterization of Atmospheric Radiological Dispersion Alongside Risky Location Designation and Shelter House Proposition Around the Planned Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant

Journal of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science ◽

10.1115/1.4046670 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Afrida Fairuz ◽

Md. Hossain Sahadath

Keyword(s):

Power Plant ◽

Nuclear Power Plant ◽

Nuclear Power ◽

Arrival Time ◽

Educational Institution ◽

Fukushima Accident ◽

Stability Class ◽

Medical Centers ◽

Commercial Area ◽

The Stability

Abstract The prevailing meteorological conditions around the site of the proposed Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant have been studied vigorously. The in-depth perusal has revealed the existence of three seasons—summer, rainy, and winter with stability classes A, B, and A, respectively, during the day and F during the night. The eventual wind speed and direction of the seasons have been observed. Subsequent locations along the dispersion directions have been identified using googleearthpro, which includes highways, educational institution, medical centers, commercial area, etc. Dose contours corresponding to a source term equivalent to Fukushima accident have been created to verify the dispersion direction and perceive the plume arrival time in the designated locations using health physics code HotSpot. Strong dependency of plume arrival time on the stability classes has been observed, and lowest values are found for F stability class. Finally, some shelter houses are proposed to accommodate endangered inhabitants during emergency.

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Public Risk Perceptions in a 'Double-Risk' Society: The Case of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant in Lithuania

Innovation The European Journal of Social Science Research ◽

10.1080/713670521 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 279-289 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Leonardas Rinkevicius

Keyword(s):

Power Plant ◽

Nuclear Power Plant ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Nuclear Power ◽

Risk Society ◽

Public Risk

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Issues Facing Voluntary Evacuees from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident Based on the Collection and Analysis of Cases of Voluntary Evacuation

Journal of Disaster Research ◽

10.20965/jdr.2015.p0755 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (sp) ◽

pp. 755-769 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kota Tomoyasu ◽

◽

Reo Kimura ◽

Hitomi Mashima ◽

Ikuno Kazama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Power Plant ◽

Nuclear Power Plant ◽

Adverse Effects ◽

Radiation Exposure ◽

Lived Experience ◽

Nuclear Power ◽

Nuclear Power Plant Accident ◽

Living Together ◽

Fukushima Daiichi ◽

Effects Of Radiation

Although over three years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, it is estimated that there remain approximately 135,000 evacuees from the nuclear power plant accident, 81,000 of whom had been living in areas under evacuation orders and 54,000 of whom had been living outside these areas (i.e., voluntary evacuees). However, the lived experience of such voluntary evacuees has been uncertain, as it is not possible to identify them. Consequently, it has not been possible to clarify the anxieties they harbor as they continue their extended existence as evacuees or to determine the issues they face in reconstructing their lives, making it difficult to extend suitable assistance measures. In this study, we worked with NHK to conduct a survey of voluntary evacuees. A list of interviewees compiled by NHK reporters was used to survey voluntary evacuees, who are difficult to identify. By analyzing the collected cases, we examined issues faced by “voluntary evacuees.” The results showed that the majority of the voluntary evacuees in this survey were mothers who had evacuated with their young children (but without their spouses) and who felt that they had had to evacuate due to anxieties about the effects of radiation exposure on their children’s growth. They tended to feel that it was difficult to return to their former areas of residence and that they had no choice except to continue living as evacuees. Furthermore, there were cases in which couples that had previously been living together had separated for reasons of work or place of occupation and had been forced into situations where they were obliged to economically support two households, with adverse effects on their budgets, minds, and bodies. In addition, the nuclear power plant accident made it difficult for them to decide where to base themselves in the future; in some cases, evacuees returned to their pre-disaster areas of residence only to evacuate again. Against the designation “voluntary,” the voluntary evacuees in this survey lived under circumstances in which they felt that they had had no choice but to evacuate; in enduring the difficulties of evacuation, they did not feel they had acted according to their voluntary will. This points to the need to implement effective assistance.

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Public Health Concerns on Radiation Exposure After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Journal of Disaster Research ◽

10.20965/jdr.2015.p0716 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (sp) ◽

pp. 716-727 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Reiko Kanda ◽

◽

Satsuki Tsuji ◽

Hidenori Yonehara ◽

Masami Torikoshi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Power Plant ◽

Nuclear Power Plant ◽

Radiation Exposure ◽

Media Coverage ◽

Nuclear Power ◽

Daily Life ◽

Internal Exposure ◽

Dose Measurement ◽

Nuclear Power Plant Accident ◽

Media Reports

This study analyzes data from telephone consultations made with a research institution during approximately one year following the March 11, 2011, Fukushima, Japan, Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Data was correlated with newspaper and online media coverage. During the analysis, many calls for consultation concerned aspects of daily life such as food, clothing, and housing and to radiation exposure during the accident. As the year of study went on, the proportion of consultation on daily life changed to more technical topics, such as dose measurement, scientific knowledge, natural radiation, and Russia’s Chernobyl accident. The topic of “children” raised the greatest number of consultations over the entire period; 20–40% of callers inquiring about soil, dose measurement and internal exposure asked also about children. Media reports on the topics consulted on were few except for those on dose measurement. The proportion of consultations on children and dose measurement may have been raised due to media reports circulating at about the same time. We concluded that it is important in postaccident risk communication that information related to daily living – especially protective measures that could be taken – and to effects on children be provided efficiently and at an appropriate timing.

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Investigating the Gap Between Actual and Perceived Distance from a Nuclear Power Plant: A Case Study in Japan

Journal of Disaster Research ◽

10.20965/jdr.2015.p0627 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 627-634 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Takaaki Kato ◽

◽

Shogo Takahara ◽

Toshimitsu Homma ◽

Keyword(s):

Power Plant ◽

Nuclear Power Plant ◽

Nuclear Power ◽

Tohoku Earthquake ◽

Personal Attributes ◽

Fukushima Accident ◽

Straight Line ◽

Straight Line Distance ◽

Accident Response ◽

Straight Lines

This study investigates factors in gaps between perceived and actual straight-line distance to Japan’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant (KKNPP). The distance to areas in the official accident response plan is defined using straight lines from the NPP, making it important to determine whether area residents understand these distances correctly. Adults living in the two municipalities cohosting the NPP were surveyed randomly in 2005, 2010 and 2011. In this study, we consider three groups of factors — geographical features, personal attributes, and experience in events highlighting nuclear safety. The Niigata-ken Chuetsu-oki earthquake hit the NPP between the first and second of these three surveys, and the Tohoku earthquake and the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident occurred between the second and the third surveys. Before the Fukushima accident, overestimations of straight-line distance were common among respondents, and geographical features such as lack of NPP visibility aggravated bias between actual and perceived distance. After the Fukushima accident, underestimation of the distance became common and personal attributes became more influential as the factor of the perceived-actual distance gap.

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