Radioactivity of the atmospheric aerosols detected by CTBTO stations in Africa following the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Radionuclides from the reactor accident Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant were observed in the airborne aerosols at CTBT International Monitoring System (IMS) stations (MRP43, CMP13) in Africa. The maximum activity concentrations in the air measured in Mauritania were 186.44 10-6 Bq.m-3, 264.16 10-6 Bq.m-3 and 1269.94 10-6 Bq.m-3 for 134Cs, 137Cs and 131I respectively, and in Cameroon 16.42 10-6 Bq.m-3, 25.53 10-6 and 37.58 10-6 Bq.m-3 respectively for 134Cs, 137Cs and 131I. The activity ratio of 134Cs/137Cs is almost constant throughout the period of time relevant to this study due to their long half-lives of 30.2 years for 137Cs and 2.06 years for 134Cs. Whereas the 131I/137Cs activity ratio varies in time according to the radioactive decay with a half-live of 8.06 days for 131I and different removal rates of both radionuclides from the atmosphere during transport. The EMAC atmospheric chemistry-general circulation was used to simulate the emission and transport of the isotope 137Cs and map the deposition of the 137Cs deposition over Africa.

Primary care clinic visits in formerly evacuated areas due to radiation disaster following the Great East Japan Earthquake: A retrospective descriptive study.

Radiation disasters pose distinctive medical challenges, requiring diverse care approaches. Beyond radiation exposure assessment, addressing health impacts due to lifestyle changes, especially among vulnerable populations, is vital. Evacuation orders issued in radiation-affected areas introduce unique healthcare dynamics, with their duration significantly influencing the recovery process. Understanding evolving patient demographics and medical needs after lifting evacuation orders is crucial for post-disaster care planning. Minamisoma Municipal Odaka Hospital, located 13 to 20 km from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear power plant in a post-evacuation zone, was greatly affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent radiation disaster. Data were retrospectively collected from patient records, including age, gender, visit date, diagnoses, and addresses. Patient records from April 2014 to March 2020 were analyzed, comparing data before and after the July 2016 evacuation order lift. Data was categorized into pre and post-evacuation order lifting periods, using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition codes, to identify the top diseases. Statistical analyses, including χ-square tests, assessed changes in disease distributions. Population data for Odaka Ward and Minamisoma City fluctuated after lifting evacuation orders. As of March 11, 2011, Odaka Ward had 12,842 residents (27.8% aged 65+ years), dropping to 8406 registered residents and 2732 actual residents by April 30, 2018 (49.7%). Minamisoma City also saw declines, with registered residents decreasing from 71,561 (25.9%) to 61,049 (34.1%). The study analyzed 11,100 patients, mostly older patients (75.1%), between 2014 and 2020. Post-lifting, monthly patient numbers surged from an average of 55.2 to 213.5, with female patients increasing from 33.8% to 51.7%. Disease patterns shifted, with musculoskeletal cases declining from 23.8% to 13.0%, psychiatric disorders increasing from 9.3% to 15.4%, and trauma-related cases decreasing from 14.3% to 3.9%. Hypertension (57.1%) and dyslipidemia (29.2%) prevailed post-lifting. Urgent cases decreased from 1.3% to 0.1%. This study emphasizes the importance of primary care in post-evacuation zones, addressing diverse medical needs, including trauma, noncommunicable diseases, and psychiatric disorders. Changing patient demographics require adaptable healthcare strategies and resource allocation to meet growing demands. Establishing a comprehensive health maintenance system tailored to these areas' unique challenges is crucial for future disaster recovery efforts.

Negative Aspects of Self-Imposed Evacuation among Mothers of Small Children Following Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident.

This study clarified the negative aspects of the self-imposed evacuation of mothers of small children seeking to avoid radiation exposure from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident on 11 March 2011. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 27 mothers, employing open-ended inquiries based on an interview guide. Our analysis of their responses using the Ka-Wakita-Jiro (KJ) method categorized the results into eight distinct groups comprising 142 labels. These categories included continued anxiety about the health effects of radiation, differences in risk perception, changes in spousal relationships, the inability to make friends and find support, living as a single parent, financial concerns, the unfamiliar feel of the area to which they evacuated, and uncertainty about the future. Despite their hardships, the mothers continued their self-imposed evacuation to avoid radioactivity. Our findings underscore that their anxieties about radiation exposure persisted even after self-imposed evacuation, leading to deteriorated relationships with key individuals who would have been involved in raising their children. These results offer valuable insights into the challenges experienced by the indirect victims of the nuclear accident, such as the mothers of small children.

Awareness of disaster preparedness between administrative staff and residents in the vicinity of the Genkai and Ikata nuclear power plants following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster.

When considering disaster preparedness, one challenge is mitigating the health impacts of evacuations. Nuclear disaster preparedness has evolved based on past experiences from numerous disasters, including the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident. However, there is a lack of comprehensive reporting on the awareness of administrative staff, medical personnel, and residents in the areas surrounding nuclear power plants (NPPs). This study reports on a survey aimed at gaining insights into the understanding and current state of disaster preparedness and elucidating the differences in perceptions of nuclear disaster preparedness among the relevant stakeholders surrounding NPPs. Interview surveys were conducted from 14 to 16 September 2022 in the area surrounding Kyushu Electric Power's Genkai NPP in Saga Prefecture and from 11 to 13 January 2023 in the area around Shikoku Electric Power's Ikata NPP. The surveys targeted administrative, medical, and nursing care facilities and residents. Responses from 57 participants indicated a lack of awareness of natural and nuclear disasters, challenges in evacuation planning, and a gap between nuclear disaster training and residents' understanding of evacuation protocols. This study highlights inadequacies in nuclear disaster preparedness and the need for a better understanding among residents regarding evacuation procedures. This study identified three key issues: (1) a lack of awareness about disasters, including nuclear disasters; (2) concerns about complex disasters and the difficulties in creating evacuation plans; and (3) a discrepancy between nuclear disaster training and residents' understanding of evacuation procedures. To bridge this gap, it is important to deepen residents' understanding of nuclear disasters, continuously convey the lessons learned from the FDNPP accident, and regularly reassess and update nuclear disaster preparedness strategies.

Assessment of radiation in fishes derived from radiocesium in the port of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

This study established specialized radiation dose models to evaluate the internal radiation doses derived from 137Cs and 134Cs in fishes in the port of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant from 2012 to 2023. By August 2018, the activities of 134Cs and 137Cs in fishes decreased at the T1/2 of 176 d and 191 d, respectively. The corresponding mass concentrations were far lower than 1 mg/kg and the chemical toxicity can be negligible. Regarding radiotoxicity, 18,000 Bq/kgfresh weight of 134Cs and 137Cs in grouper Sebastes schlegelii produced 276 µGy/h of radiation dose, which was below the no-effect-dose-rate benchmarks (400 µGy/h). 740,000 Bq/kgfresh weight of 134Cs and 137Cs in greenling Hexagrammos otakii produced 12,600 µGy/h of radiation dose, which was much higher than 400 µGy/h, indicating the possibility of radiation effects. If a person eats these two reported fishes, the resulting committed effective doses for humans are 7.7 µSv and 6.31 mSv, respectively.

Exploring simple ways to avoid collecting highly 137Cs-contaminated Aralia elata buds for the revival of local wild vegetable cultures.

Collection and cooking of wild vegetables have provided seasonal enjoyments for Japanese local people as provisioning and cultural ecosystem services. However, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in March 2011 caused extensive radiocesium contamination of wild vegetables. Restrictions on commercial shipments of wild vegetables have been in place for the last 10 years. Some species, including buds of Aralia elata, are currently showing radiocesium concentrations both above and below the Japanese reference level for food (100 Bq/kg), implying that there are factors decreasing and increasing the 137Cs concentration. Here, we evaluated easy-to-measure environmental variables (dose rate at the soil surface, organic soil layer thickness, slope steepness, and presence/absence of decontamination practices) and the 137Cs concentrations of 40 A. elata buds at 38 locations in Fukushima Prefecture to provide helpful information on avoiding collecting highly contaminated buds. The 137Cs concentrations in A. elata buds ranged from 1 to 6,280 Bq/kg fresh weight and increased significantly with increases in the dose rate at the soil surface (0.10-6.50 µSv/h). Meanwhile, the 137Cs concentration in A. elata buds were not reduced by decontamination practices. These findings suggest that measuring the latest dose rate at the soil surface at the base of A. elata plants is a helpful way to avoid collecting buds with higher 137Cs concentrations and aid in the management of species in polluted regions.

2023 Fukushima Medical University International Symposium on the Fukushima Health Management Survey, "Thinking Together about Health, Life, and our Future in Fukushima".

In response to the release of radioactive materials and evacuation of residents after the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Fukushima Health Management Survey (FHMS) began in June of 2011. This survey aims to provide long-term follow-up of the physical and mental health of Fukushima residents and to maintain and improve their health for the future. Every year since 2019, Fukushima Medical University (FMU) has organized the FHMS International Symposium to share survey results with people in Fukushima Prefecture and beyond. The fifth annual symposium convened at FMU's Ekimae Campus on Saturday, 4 March 2023, with the theme, "Thinking Together about Health, Life and our Future in Fukushima."

2022 Fukushima Medical University International Symposium on the Fukushima Health Management Survey Build Back Better, Together. "Science for Society: Advancing Fukushima's Well-Being".

The Fukushima Medical University (FMU) International Symposium on the Fukushima Health Management Survey (FHMS) convened for the fourth time in March 2022 to share FHMS findings within Fukushima and beyond. Dr. TAKENOSHITA Seiichi, FMU President, underscored Fukushima's restoration journey, while Governor UCHIBORI Masao committed to partnering with FMU for residents' welfare.The Introduction by Dr. KAMIYA Kenji highlighted FHMS results for more than 460,000 participants, of whom 99.8% were exposed to radiation doses below 5 mSv post-accident. Thyroid examinations detected tumors, but no dose-response relationship was found. The Comprehensive Health Check showed increased lifestyle-related diseases among evacuees, with improvements in some health markers. Mental health issues initially prevalent after the accident decreased over time, and perinatal outcomes were consistent with national data.Session 1 focused on radiation effects in Fukushima. The UNSCEAR 2020 Report indicated significantly reduced radiation exposure estimates and negligible cancer risks. Studies from Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Chernobyl found no radiation-induced genetic effects.Session 2 explored post-disaster well-being, emphasizing the evolution of psychological responses. Practices like Psychological First Aid (PFA) and emotional resilience promotion were highlighted. Katsurao Village's post-evacuation health measures addressed lifestyle diseases, but faced challenges. The WHO framework for mental health and psychosocial support in nuclear emergencies emphasized the importance of mental health care throughout all disaster phases.The symposium facilitated valuable insights, underlining comprehensive health strategies and the significance of long-term studies for Fukushima's recovery and health management.

Radiological safety assessment for transportation of reactor pressure vessel during decommissioning of a nuclear power plant in Korea.

In Korea, decommissioning of nuclear power plants and transportation of the decommissioning waste are expected to expand in the near future. It is necessary to confirm that radiological risks to the public and workers are not significant through radiological safety assessment. The objective of this study is to assess the radiological safety for transportation of RPV waste, which is a major decommissioning waste with relatively high level of radioactivity. It was assumed that the waste would be transported to the Gyeongju disposal facility by land transportation. First, the source term and transportation method of the RPV waste were determined, and the external dose rates from the waste were calculated using MCNP. Then, transportation scenarios were assumed under both normal and accident conditions. Under the scenarios, radiation doses were calculated using the RADTRAN. Under normal operation scenarios without a transportation accident, assuming 40 shipments per year, the average individual doses for the public ranged from 6.56×10-6to 2.18×10-2mSv yr-1. The maximum individual doses for only a single shipment ranged from 2.43×10-6to 3.14×10-1mSv. For cargo handlers and vehicle crew members, the average doses were 2.26×101mSv yr-1and 2.95 mSv yr-1, respectively. Under transportation accident scenarios, average individual radiological risks which are product of the radiation doses and the annual accident rates ranged from 1.14×10-11to 1.61×10-10mSv yr-1by transportation route segment when considering the transportation accident rate. Average individual doses assuming transportation accident occurrence ranged from 2.62×10-4to 1.42×10-3mSv. The maximum individual dose under accident conditions was 7.99×10-2mSv. The calculated doses were below the regulatory limits in Korea. However, relatively high doses were observed for cargo handlers and vehicle crew members because of conservative assumptions. This study results can be used as basic data for the radiological safety assessment for the decommissioning waste transportation in the future.

Microbiome analysis of the restricted bacteria in radioactive element-containing water at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

A major incident occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station following the tsunami triggered by the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake in March 2011, whereby seawater entered the torus room in the basement of the reactor building. Here, we identify and analyze the bacterial communities in the torus room water and several environmental samples. Samples of the torus room water (1 × 109 Bq137Cs/L) were collected by the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings from two sampling points between 30 cm and 1 m from the bottom of the room (TW1) and the bottom layer (TW2). A structural analysis of the bacterial communities based on 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing revealed that the predominant bacterial genera in TW1 and TW2 were similar. TW1 primarily contained the genus Limnobacter, a thiosulfate-oxidizing bacterium. γ-Irradiation tests on Limnobacter thiooxidans, the most closely related phylogenetically found in TW1, indicated that its radiation resistance was similar to ordinary bacteria. TW2 predominantly contained the genus Brevirhabdus, a manganese-oxidizing bacterium. Although bacterial diversity in the torus room water was lower than seawater near Fukushima, ~70% of identified genera were associated with metal corrosion. Latent environment allocation-an analytical technique that estimates habitat distributions and co-detection analyses-revealed that the microbial communities in the torus room water originated from a distinct blend of natural marine microbial and artificial bacterial communities typical of biofilms, sludge, and wastewater. Understanding the specific bacteria linked to metal corrosion in damaged plants is important for advancing decommissioning efforts. IMPORTANCE: In the context of nuclear power station decommissioning, the proliferation of microorganisms within the reactor and piping systems constitutes a formidable challenge. Therefore, the identification of microbial communities in such environments is of paramount importance. In the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, microbial community analysis was conducted on environmental samples collected mainly outside the site. However, analyses using samples from on-site areas, including adjacent soil and seawater, were not performed. This study represents the first comprehensive analysis of microbial communities, utilizing meta 16S amplicon sequencing, with a focus on environmental samples collected from the radioactive element-containing water in the torus room, including the surrounding environments. Some of the identified microbial genera are shared with those previously identified in spent nuclear fuel pools in countries such as France and Brazil. Moreover, our discussion in this paper elucidates the correlation of many of these bacteria with metal corrosion.

Low-Cost Sensor Deployment on a Public Minibus in Fukushima Prefecture.

This study analyzed radiation dose data to observe the annual decline in ambient radiation doses and assess the factors contributing to fluctuations in reconstructed areas of the Fukushima prefecture. Utilizing a novel mobile monitoring system installed on a community minibus, the study employed a cost-effective sensor, namely, Pocket Geiger which was integrated with a microcontroller and telecommunication system for data transfer, access, visualization, and accumulation. The study area included the region between Okuma and Tomioka towns. The ambient dose rate recorded along the minibus route was depicted on a map, averaged within a 1 × 1 km mesh created with the Quantum Geographic Information System. To ensure accuracy, the shielding factor of the minibus material is determined to adjust the dose readings. A significant decrease (p < 0.001) in the radiation dose ranges from 2022 to 2023 was observed. The land use classification by the Advanced Land Observation Satellite revealed an ecological half-life ranging from 2.41 years to 1 year, suggesting a rapid radiation decay across all land types. This underscores the close connection between radiation attenuation and environmental factors, as well as decontamination efforts across diverse land categories.

Post-Disaster Community Transition of Psychiatric Inpatients: Lessons from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident.

This study sought to explore factors related to community transition after the mandatory evacuation of psychiatric inpatients to other hospitals owing to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. A retrospective cohort design was adopted and 391 psychiatric patients were examined. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to confirm the association between the achievement or non-achievement of discharge to community living and their backgrounds (age, gender, evacuation destination, psychiatric diagnoses, and physical complications). Multivariate analysis indicated that patients with psychiatric diagnoses of schizophrenia, schizotypal, and delusional disorders (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th revision, F20-29), and those with physical diagnoses of the circulatory (I00-95) and digestive (K00-93) systems showed a significant association with the non-attainment of community transition. From these results, we hypothesized that difficulties in the management of medication during and immediately after the extremely chaotic settings of evacuation could have negative effects on the community transitions. Furthermore, another possible concern was that individuals' persistent psychotic status before the accident had been carried over to the destination hospitals. Therefore, pre-disaster daily cooperation across hospitals and challenges for vulnerable psychiatric patients' future community lives are also essential.

Study on the relationship between the dispersal of wild boar (Sus scrofa) and the associated variability of Cesium-137 concentrations in its muscle Post-Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident in 2011, the wild boar (Sus scrofa) population within the Fukushima Evacuation Zone (FEZ) increased substantially in size and distribution. This growing population and their potential dispersal from the FEZ, where they are exposed to high levels of radionuclides, into the surrounding landscape underscores the need to better understand boar movement patterns in order to establish policies for managing shipping restrictions for boar meat and develop management strategies. In this study, we quantified the genetic population structure of boar in and around Fukushima prefecture using sequence data of the mitochondrial DNA control region and MIG-seq analysis using 348 boar samples to clarify boar dispersal patterns. Among boar samples, seven Asian haplotypes and one European haplotype were detected. The European haplotype originated from hybridization between domestic pigs and native boar in the evacuation zone after the accident and was detected in 15 samples across a broad geographic area. Our MIG-seq analysis revealed genetic structure of boar was significantly different between boar inhabiting the eastern (including FEZ. i.e., East clade) and western (i.e., West clade) regions in Fukushima prefecture. In addition, we investigated the relationships between boar dispersal and Cesium (Cs)-137 activity concentrations in boar muscle using MIG-seq genetic data in Nihonmatsu city, located in the central-northern region of Fukushima. High Cs-137 activity concentrations, exceeding 1000 Bq/kg, in boar muscle had a significantly high probability of belonging to the East clade within localized regions. Thus, our results provide evidence of the spatial scale of dispersal of individuals or offspring of boar from the FEZ. Results of this research also indicate that dispersal of individuals between areas with different Cs-137 contamination levels is one of the biggest factors contributing to variation in Cs-137 activity concentration in boar muscle within localized regions.

Categorization of disaster-related deaths in Minamisoma city after the Fukushima nuclear disaster using clustering analysis.

The medical situation during disasters often differs from that at usual times. Disasters can lead to significant mortality that can be difficult to monitor. The types of disaster-related deaths are largely unknown. In this study, we conducted a survey to categorize the disaster-related deaths caused by a radiation disaster. A total of 520 people living in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, at the time of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, who were certified to have died due to disaster-related causes were surveyed. We divided the participants into those who were at home at the time of the earthquake and those who were in hospitals or facilities when the disaster struck and conducted a hierarchical cluster analysis of the two groups. Disaster-related deaths could be divided into seven groups for those who were at home at the time of the disaster and five groups for those who were in hospitals or facilities at the time of the disaster. Each group showed different characteristics, such as "the group with disabilities," "the group receiving care," and "the group with depression," and it became evident that not only uniform post-disaster support, but support tailored to the characteristics of each group is necessary.

Public Attitudes toward the Final Disposal of Radioactively Contaminated Soil Resulting from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident.

Radioactively contaminated soil from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station accident in 2011 is required by law to be finally disposed of outside Fukushima Prefecture by 2045. To gain public acceptance of this policy, it is essential to promote understanding and nationwide discussion. We conducted a web-based survey of 2000 people in Japan to examine public attitudes toward final disposal of the contaminated soil outside Fukushima Prefecture. Results show that policy approval was negatively correlated with perceived risk of a final disposal site, sense of inequity associated with building a final disposal site near residential areas, and values that are absolutely non-negotiable or protected from trade-offs with other values (protected values). Policy approval was positively correlated with high levels of interest in the Fukushima accident and subjective knowledge of decontamination and the policy. Respondents' comments and opinions about the policy indicated that respondents who approved of the policy accepted burden sharing, while those who disapproved were unconvinced by the rationale behind disposal outside Fukushima Prefecture and were dissatisfied by the lack of information disclosure and transparency. While the government's efforts to disseminate information about the current status and future of Fukushima have been effective to a certain extent, they are insufficient to achieve widespread public understanding of the policy. Our results indicate that attention needs to be paid to procedural fairness and explanations of risks.

Unique transport paths of 137Cs from the Indian to Southern Oceans.

To assess ocean-scale transport systems, we examined the latitudinal cross-sectional distribution of 137Cs activity concentrations in the Indian and Southern Oceans between December 2019 and January 2020 using low-background γ-spectrometry. At 0°-20°S, 137Cs concentrations exhibited a gradual decrease below the mixing layer (1-0.1 mBq/L). However, the concentrations steeply decreased toward the Southern Ocean along a transect of 30°-60°S (from 0.8 to 0.02 mBq/L) with minor vertical variation at each site. For the 137Cs inventories (0-800 m depth) from 15 to 600 Bq/m2, a maximum value was recorded at 30°S, indicating the downwelling of 137Cs as a reservoir for the Subantarctic Mode Water. The significantly low concentrations (0.02 mBq/L) at 60°S suggest minimal transport of 137Cs to the Southern Ocean. These findings assist in understanding 137Cs circulation patterns and provide valuable insights into the transport pathways of soluble contaminants.