Effect of Fukushima nuclear plant accident on human health and the medical protection / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

The hazards Fukushima nuclear plant accident causes to human beings might be the second only to Chernobyl nuclear plant accident in the former Soviet Union. The accident has deleterious health effects on Japanese rescue workers, nearby residents and other contaminated subjects, and there are not only short-term irradiation injuries, but also long-term biological effects, with the long-term biological effects caused by low-dose irradiation being the leading one. The radioactive dusts falling to our country is far from enough to cause damage to human health. The main protective measures include shielding with buildings, clothing, and masks, cleaning/removing the radioactive contamination timely, and taking protective drugs. While developing our nuclear power cautiously and scientifically, we should also enhance the corresponding research on medical rescue and protection in case of nuclear accidents. We should also reinforce our emergency response system, training of personnel, technique and equipment, and special protective measures, so as to minimize the damages in case of any nuclear accidents and effectively protect the physical and psychological health of the people. In this paper, we discusse the possible health influence and medical protection of Fukushima nuclear plant accident, the proper attitude towards development of nuclear power, and strengthening of security measures and related scientific research.