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YALE/TULANE ESF-8 PLANNING AND RESPONSE PROGRAM SPECIAL REPORT ( FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ). MAP. BACKGROUND. GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN http:// www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/index-e.html Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
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YALE/TULANE ESF-8 PLANNING AND RESPONSE PROGRAM SPECIAL REPORT (FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT) MAP BACKGROUND • GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN • http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/index-e.html • Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology(MEXT) • Nuclear and Industrial Safety Administration (NISA) • INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS • RELIEFWEB • International Nuclear Safety Center • International Atomic Energy Agency • Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System • WHO • WHO – Health Action In Crisis • WHO-WPRO • US GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS • US Government - Japan Earthquake and Tsunami • The Department of State • U.S Embassy in Japan • State Dept.'s DipNote on Twitter • State Dept. Background Note • U.S. Agency for International Development • OFDA • The Department of Health and Human Services • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • CDC- Tsunami • CDC-Earthquake • CDC-Radiation Emergencies • NIOSH • FDA • NIOSH • EPA • OSHA • DOE - NNSA • PORTALS AND RESOURCES • All Partners Access Network (APAN) • Japan Disaster Wiki • CATDAT and Earthquake Reports • GDACS • Center of Excellence – Disaster Management Humanitarian Assistance • National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health • Google Crisis Resources • Japan Atomic Industrial Forum • LIBRARY • National Medical Library – Japan Earthquake • Disaster Information Management Research Center • Radiation Emergency Medical Management AFTERSHOCK -7 APRIL NUCLEAR POWER PLANT GAMMA READINGS RADITION IN FOOD RADITION IN WATER RADITION IN SEA WATER RADITION IN SOIL AND AIR HEALTH EFFECTS AS OF 1700 HRS EDT 8 APRIL 2011
FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT BACKGROUND Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) - Located on the east coast of Japan, 6 nuclear power reactors are boiling water reactors (BWRs). The earthquake on 11 March severed off-site power to the plant and triggered the automatic shutdown of the three operating reactors - Units 1, 2, and 3. Control rods were successfully inserted into the reactor cores, ending the fission chain reaction. The remaining reactors - Units 4, 5, and 6 -- had previously been shut down for routine maintenance. Backup diesel generators, designed to start with loss of off-site power, began providing electricity to pumps circulating coolant to the 6reactors. The tsunami washed over the FDNPP, disabling the generators. Some batteries remained operable, but the site lost water circulation for reactor cooling. Over the ensuing days there was evidence of partial nuclear meltdowns in reactors 1, 2, and 3; hydrogen explosions destroyed the upper cladding of the buildings housing reactors 1, 3, and 4; an explosion damaged reactor 2's containment; and multiple fires broke out at reactor 4. Fears of radiation leaks led to a 30 km (18-mile) radius evacuation around the plant. Radioactive material was released on several occasions, due to both deliberate venting to relieve pressure, and uncontrolled (accidental) releases. These conditions resulted in radioactive contamination of the air, soil, drinking water, and seawater. IAEA Update: 5 April 2011 WHO –WPRO SitRep No, 25: 6 April 2011 WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 24: 4 April 2011 Government of Japan, 4 Apr 2011
AFTERSHOCK (7 APRIL 2011) • At 11:32 PM local time on 7 April 2011 an aftershock measuring 7.1 struck off the east coast of Honshu. The Earthquake initially triggered a local tsunami warning that was cancelled 83 minutes afterward. The aftershock struck at a depth of 30.4 miles. • A handful of injuries have been reported but no fatalities as of yet. Power has also been cut to parts of the Northeast. • JMA Tsunami Warning: 7 April 2011 • USGS Magn. 7.1 Earthquake: 7 April 2011 • AFP Update: 7 Arpil 2011
NUCLEAR FACILITIES UPDATE (IMPACT FROM AFTER SHOCK) The IAEA confirms that an earthquake occurred in Japan at 14:32 UTC 7 April. The IAEA International Seismic Safety Centre has rated it as a 7.1 magnitude, revised from an initial 7.4 magnitude. The epicenter of the earthquake was 20 km from the Onagawa nuclear power plant and approximately 120 km from the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini nuclear power plants. The IAEA has been in contact with NISA and can confirm the status of the following nuclear facilities (17:30 UTC): Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant: NISA confirmed that no changes have been observed at the on-site radiation monitoring posts. The injection of water into the reactor pressure vessels of Units 1, 2 and 3 was not interrupted. Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plant: NISA confirmed that no changes have been observed of the readings at the on-site radiation monitoring posts. Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant: All reactors have been in cold shutdown since the 11 March earthquake. NISA has confirmed that two out of the three lines supplying off-site power to the site were lost following the 7 April earthquake. Off-site power continues to be supplied through the third line. Cooling of the spent fuel pool was temporarily lost, but has subsequently been restored. No change has been observed in the readings from the on-site radiation monitoring post. The status of the plant is currently being checked. Higashidori Nuclear Power Plant: NISA has confirmed that the Higashidori NPP was shutdown and in a maintenance outage at the time of the 7 April earthquake. Off-site power has been lost. Emergency power supply to the site has been operating. All the fuel had been removed from the reactor core and stored in the spent fuel pool. Cooling of the spent fuel pool is operational. Tomari Nuclear Power Plant (in Hokkaido):At the time of the 7 April earthquake Tomari Unit 1 and Unit 2 were in operation. Following the 7 April earthquake, the Hokkaido Electric Power Company reduced the generating power to 90% of capacity. Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant:NISA confirms that Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant and uranium enrichment facility lost off-site power. Emergency power supply to the site is operating. Four million homes were left without power and prompting a brief evacuation of workers from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. WHO-WPRO SitRep 26 – 8 April 2011 7 April 2011 (18:00 UTC) IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident
FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT NOTE: Radiation levels are at levels high enough to impact human health at the FDNPP. According to the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA), the situation at the FDNPP remains very serious. • As of 6 April, TEPCO started injecting nitrogen gas to Unit 1 containment vessel to reduce the possibility of hydrogen combustion within the containment vessel. Nitrogen gas is continuing to be injected into the Unit. The pressure in this containment vessel is increasing due to the addition of nitrogen. • The leakage of highly contaminated water from the 20 cm crack in the cable storage pit of Unit 2 directly to the sea reported on 2 April was stopped by injection of coagulation agents (liquid glass) on 5 April. Additional activities to secure the leak were reported finished on 6 April.. • FRESH WATER TO THE UNITS • In Unit 1 fresh water has been continuously injected into the reactor pressure vessel through feed-water line at an indicated flow rate of 6 m3/h using a temporary electric pump with off-site power. • In Units 2 and 3 fresh water is being injected into the reactor pressure vessels continuously through the fire extinguisher lines at indicated rates of 8 m3/h and 7 m3/h using temporary electric pumps with off-site power. The reactor pressure vessels' temperatures remain above cold shutdown conditions (normally less than 95 C). 2 April 2011 Unit 2 Turbine Building Leak (Before) 9 April 2011 (18:00 UTC) IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident 8 April 2011 (18:00 UTC) IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident 7 April 2011 (18:00 UTC) IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident 5 April 2011 (20:38 UTC) (After)
9 April 2011 (18:00 UTC) IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident
FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT In Units 1, 2 and 3, 60,000 tons of contaminated water need to be removed from the turbine buildings and trenches. This water will be transferred to the condensers of each unit and the Radioactive Waste Treatment facility. In addition, temporary storage tanks have been ordered to provide additional capacity for the water and will be located adjacent to the Radioactive Waste Treatment facility. NISA Conditions of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Units 1-6 (07:00 5 March)IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Accident 8 April 2011 NISA Seismic Damage Update (77th Release: 6 April)IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Accident 9 April 2011
7 April 2011 (18:00 UTC) IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident 7 April IAEA Radiological Monitoring & Consequences Report
GAMMA DOSE RATE IN 47 PREFECTURES - 6 APRIL • 7 April 2011 (18:00 UTC) IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident 7 April IAEA Radiological Monitoring & Consequences Report
GROUND AND AERIAL MONITORING RESULTS ASSESSMENT • An assessment of measurements gathered through April 6 continues to show: • Rapid decay of deposited radiological material indicating Radioiodine is the most significant component of dose • Radiation levels consistently below actionable levels for evacuation or relocation outside of 25 miles; and levels continue to decrease • No measurable deposit of radiological material since March 19 • US bases and facilities all measure dose rates below 32 microrem/hr (32 millionths of a REM) – a level with no known health risks • Agricultural monitoring and possible intervention will be required for several hundred square kilometers surrounding the site: • Soil and water samples are the only definitive method to determine agricultural countermeasures • Ground monitoring can give better fidelity to identify areas that require agricultural sampling http://blog.energy.gov/content/situation-japan/ `
GROUND AND AERIAL MONITORING RESULTS http://blog.energy.gov/content/situation-japan/
JIAF: Trend of Radiation in the Environment around Fukushima Daiichi NPS
FOOD SAFETY Since 6 April, 141 food sample results have been received. Some 27 samples exceeded the provisional regulation values. • Analysis results of foods originating from Chiba, Ehime, Fukushima, Gunma, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Kyoto, Miyagi, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokyo and Yamagata prefectures have been received. A total of 1 120 milk, produce and other food samples results have been obtained from MHLW from 19 March to 8 April. Samples are tested for both radioactive Iodine and Cesium or Cesium alone. • Restrictions as of 8 April: • In Fukushima, there are restrictions on the consumption of leafy vegetables, headed and non-headed leafy vegetables, and flower-headed brassicas. There are also restrictions on the distribution of headed and non-headed leafy vegetables, flower-headed brassicas, spinach, kakina and unprocessed raw milk produced in the prefecture. • In Ibaraki, there are restrictions on the distribution of unprocessed raw milk, parsley, spinach and kakina produced in the prefecture. • In Chiba, there are restrictions on the distribution of spinach produced in Katori City and Tako Town. There are also restrictions on the distribution of spinach, chingensai, shungiku, sanchu, celery and parsley produced in Asahi City. • In Gunma and Tochigi, there are restrictions on the distribution of spinach and kakina produced in these prefectures. • The Government has lifted the shipment restrictions on raw milk from Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, spinach and kakina from Gunma Prefecture because the monitoring reading indicated that no higher-than-normal levels of radiation were detected in the food in question. These agricultural products fulfilled requirement that is necessary to remove the shipment ban. • Based on the test results of rice paddy soil around the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant conducted by the authorities, the government decided to regulate the planting of rice crops in the areas where there is a high possibility that produced rice might exceed the provisional standard values established under the Food Sanitation Act. Proper compensation will be paid for the loss of rice farmers caused by the restrictions. WHO –WPRO SitRep 26: 8 April 2011 WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 26: 08 APRIL 2011 WHO –WPRO SitRep 25: 6 April 2011WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 24: 04 APRIL 2011 WHO FAQ: Japan Nuclear Concerns: 05 April 2011COE-DMHA Update: 06 April 2011 7 April 2011 (18:00 UTC) IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident
FOOD SAFETY Since the previous situation report on 6 April, 141 food sample results have been received. Some 27 samples exceeded the provisional regulation values. • A total of 979 milk, produce and other food samples results have been obtained from MHLW from 19 March to 5 April, with 65 sample results received since 4 April 2011. Samples are tested for both radioactive Iodine and Cesium or Cesium alone. (results in tables at right) • Data related to food contamination were reported on 6th April. These reported analytical results covered a total of 78 samples taken on 3rd April (2 samples), 4th April (39 samples), 5th April (35 samples) and 6th April (2 samples). Results for 52 of the 78 samples for various vegetables, spinach and other leafy vegetables, fruit and unprocessed raw milk in eight prefectures (Fukushima, Gunma, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Niigata, Saitama and Yamagata) indicated that I-131, Cs-134 and/or Cs-137 were either not detected or were below the regulation values set by the Japanese authorities. • However, it was reported that analytical results for 27 of the total 41 samples taken in Fukushima prefecture for various vegetables, spinach and other leafy vegetables indicated that I-131 and/or Cs-134/Cs-137 exceeded the regulation values set by the Japanese authorities. • Japan’s fishery ministry said it has ordered daily inspection of marine products caught off Ibaraki Prefecture, which is down-current from where contaminated radioactive water is being dumped into the ocean. A ministry official criticized EPCO for not informing it in advance before releasing the contaminated water into the ocean. The fishing industry is urging the government to set permitted levels of iodine in marine products as soon as possible. • According to a report by NHK, most local fishery cooperatives in Ibaraki prefecture are suspending all fishing activities after fish caught in coastal waters were found to contain radioactive cesium over the legal limit. (NHK, April 6) Photo: RoslanRahman, AFP / Getty Images WHO –WPRO SitRep 26: 8 April 2011 WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 26: 08 APRIL 2011 WHO –WPRO SitRep 25: 6 April 2011WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 24: 04 APRIL 2011 WHO FAQ: Japan Nuclear Concerns: 05 April 2011COE-DMHA Update: 06 April 2011 7 April 2011 (18:00 UTC) IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident
RADIONUCLIDES IN DRINKING WATER As of 5th April, I-131 and Cs-134/137 was detectable in drinking water in a small number of prefectures. All values were well below levels that would initiate recommendations for restrictions of drinking water. As of 6th April, one restriction for infants related to I-131 (100 Bq/l) is in place as a precautionary measure in only one village of the Fukushima prefecture. BACKGROUND - On 19 March, MHLW issued a notice to local governments that when the provisional regulation values for drinking water (300 Bq/kg for Iodine; 200 Bq/kg for Cesium) are exceeded, MHLW requests the water supply utilities to notify the residents to refrain from drinking the water. On 21 March, MHLW issued an additional notice that for infants, the provisional regulation value for the intake of water is set at 100 Bq/kg. On 26 March, MHLW issued a notice to water supply utilities to stop or reduce intake of surface water, and cover water treatment facilities with plastic sheets, following rainfalls, where possible, which would reduce the Iodine levels in drinking water. ADVICE ON REFRAINING FROM DRINKING WATER: WHOLE POPULATION - Fukushima Prefecture – MHLW restricted consumption of tap water in Iitate-mura as of 07:00 on 21 March; the ban was lifted on 1 April. INFANTS - A total of 20 water supply utilities in five prefectures (Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba and Tokyo) have been requested by MHLW to inform residents to refrain from having infants intake tap water since 22 March. As of 7Apri (17:00), the restriction on water intake by infants remains in Iitate Village, although the readings of I-131 at all three water treatment plants are below 100 Bq/L. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION GUIDANCE – Drinking tap water in Japan poses no immediate health risk, but local conditions will differ and may fluctuate. There are no health risks so far to people living in other countries from radioactive material released into the atmosphere from the Japanese nuclear power plants. Radiation levels measured to date in other countries are far below the level of background radiation that most people are exposed to in normal every day circumstances The Japanese authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are issuing advice, when needed, against consumption of tap water, including specific recommendations for infants. Essential hydration of infants should not be compromised in an attempt to reduce exposure to radioactivity. The standards adopted by the Japanese authorities for this emergency are precautionary. Currently, radioactive iodine is the most common detected contaminant; the standard for adults is 300 Bq/L in drinking water. If drinking water was consumed for an entire year at this level, the radiation exposure would be equivalent to natural background radiation over that year. WHO urges people in the area to heed the advice of local authorities, as they will have access to the latest measurements of radiation levels in water to compare against the standards for adults and children. Can radioactive contamination be removed from water? Standard water treatment procedures may remove significant amounts of radioactive contaminants. Other options to reduce concentrations of radiation contaminants include controlled dilution of contaminated water with non-contaminated water. Boiling water will not remove radioactive iodine. Why do the guidance levels for I-131 in drinking water vary? The guidance levels found in different sets of recommendations vary because some apply to routine situations and others to emergency situations. WHO –WPRO SitRep 25: 6 April 2011 WHO FAQ: Japan Nuclear Concerns: 05 April 2011 WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 23: 1 April 2011WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 24: 04 April 2011
RADIONUCLIDES IN SEA WATER • RADIATION LEVELS OF SEAWATER AT THE WATER DISCHARGE POINT OF FDNPP • TEPCO is responsible for near-shore sampling, taking samples of surface seawater. The near shore sampling point for Daiichi Units 1 - 4 is located 330 m south of their common discharge point. The near-shore sampling point for Daiichi Units 5 and 6 is located 30 m north of their common discharge point. • Samples near discharge areas are collected daily. Until 3 April a general decreasing trend was observed. However, after the discharge of contaminated water at 4 April, an increase from about 11 kBq/l at 09:00 UTC to 41 kBq/l at 14:00 UTC for I-131, and from 5.1 kBq/l at 09:00 UTC to 19 kBq/l for both, Cs-134 and Cs-137 at 14:00 UTC was detected. • JAPAN RELEASES RADIOACTIVE WATER INTO THE SEA • On 4 April, TEPCO began releasing some 11,500 tons of low-level radioactive water into the sea from the troubled plant to make room to store highly-radioactive water in the Unit 2 reactor’s turbine building that had been leaking into ocean. As of 6 April, some 10,000 tons of water had been discharged into the sea. Basements and underground trenches at the reactor buildings of the Fukushima Daiichi plant are flooded with some 60,000 tons of radioactive water. • On 6 April, TEPCO said it had successfully plugged a crack at the Unit 2 reactor trench that had been leaking highly radioactive water into the ocean. The plugged crack is being monitored and steps are being taken to prevent future leaks into the sea. TEPCO said it is planning to inject nitrogen into the reactor at Unit 1 to prevent another hydrogen explosion like the one on March 12. Officials said they were also considering injecting nitrogen into reactors 2 and 3. (NHK, IAEA Japan Times, Kyodo, NISA, Apr-6)Japan’s fishery ministry said it has ordered daily inspection of marine products caught off Ibaraki Prefecture, which is down-current from where contaminated radioactive water is being dumped into the ocean. A ministry official criticized TEPCO for not informing it in advance before releasing the contaminated water into the ocean. The fishing industry is urging the government to set permitted levels of iodine in marine products as soon as possible. It should be noted however that the movements of all ships, including fishing boats, are restricted within a 30km zone from the NPP, based on the hazardous area set by the Maritime Safety Agency. Also, Fukushima prefecture reported that no fishing has started beyond a 30km zone from the NPP in this prefecture. COE-DMHA Update: 06 April 2011 7 April 2011 (18:00 UTC) IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident WHO-WPRO SitRep 25: 6 April 2011 Readings of Sea Area Monitoring: NPP 04 April 2011 Reuters Japan Earthquake Snap Shot 4 April 2011
RADIONUCLIDES IN SEA WATER • The contamination of the marine environment has occurred both through atmospheric fallout or washout with precipitation, and through discharges of contaminated water into the sea • The highest levels are still measured close to the coast, namely 30 m, 330 m and 10 km near-shore. • Concentration data from about 30 km off-shore show a generally decreasing time trend • It can be expected that, if no additional releases occur, the levels measured at the stations 30 km off-shore will continue to decrease significantly by dilution into deeper layers and dispersion by ocean currents • Japanese institutes continue to perform measurements in seawater at 30 m and 330 m off the discharge points of Dai-ichi NPP, as well at 10 km and 20 km off-shore and along two North-South transects situated 15 and 30 km off-shore. • Seawater sampling locations of Japanese Authorities • Transect about 30 km offshore, sampling points separated by 10 kilometres, surface and bottom seawater sampled • Additional sampling stations at 10 and 20 km offshore, for which both surface and bottom seawater are sampled (M9-M10) • New transect 15 km offshore • Mainly surface water was collected and analysed, but meanwhile also some analyses for deep water samples were carried out Marine Environment Monitoring – 7 April 2011
TEPCO sampled soil at 5 locations on the premises of the FDNPP. 13 samples on 21 and 22 March were analyzed and plutonium 238, 239 and 240 were detected at the density equivalent to the fallout observed in Japan during previous atmospheric nuclear test; it would not pose a threat to human health. TEPCO will continue the radionuclide analysis of soil. RADIATION LEVELS IN THE SOIL At the request of MEXT, Fukushima Prefecture began monitoring radioactivity levels in soil on 18 March. The radioactivity levels of are monitored at 9 sites. The radioactivity levels of I-131 in all but the sampling point in Iitate Village (40 km northwest of the FDNPP) have been low and generally decreasing. In Iitate Village, the radioactivity peaked on 20 March (1.17 MBq/kg for I-131 and 0.163 MBq/kg for Cs-137) and has been decreasing At 5 sampling points on the premises of the FDNPP, plutonium 238, 239 and 240 were detected on 21 and 22 March. According to TEPCO, the density of detected plutonium is equivalent to the fallout observed in Japan when atmospheric nuclear test was conducted in the past. The detected plutonium from two samples out of five may be the direct result of the recent incident, considering their activity ratio of the plutonium isotopes. However, the density of detected plutonium does not pose a threat to human health. TEPCO will continue the radionuclide analysis of soil. RADIATION LEVELS IN THE AIR RADIONUCLIDES IN AIR AND SOIL Daily deposition of Idoine-131 (25 March – 5 April) Overall, radiation levels in the air in prefectures near the FDNPP are stable. Levels are still above historic background levels, but low in terms of human health risk. (See Figure Above). Overall, radiation levels between a 20-km and 60-km distance from the nuclear plant are declining or are stable. High radiation levels continue to be clustered around NW area of plant. NOTE: Radiation levels in area ~30km NW of plant remain higher than normal, but there is continued decrease in radiation levels 7 April 2011 (18:00 UTC) IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 24: 04 April 2011 WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 23: 1 April 2011
HEALTH CONCERNS • . • ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS • If the dose of radiation exceeds a certain threshold level, it can produce acute effects, including skin redness, hair loss, radiation burns, and acute radiation syndrome. • In a nuclear power accident, rescuers, first responders, and nuclear power plant workers may be exposed to doses of radiation high enough to cause acute effects, but usually not the general public. • PERSONAL PROTECTIVE MEASURES (UPON EXPOSURE) • Upon coming indoors after radiation exposure, undress in the doorway to avoid further contamination of home or shelter. Remove clothing and shoes and place them in a plastic bag. Seal the bag and place it in a safe location away from living areas, children, and pets. • Shower or bathe with warm water and soap. • Notify authorities of possibly contaminated clothing and personal belongings so that they can be handled appropriately and disposed of according to accepted national procedures. • Potassium iodide pills are not “radiation antidotes”. They do not protect against external radiation, or against any other radioactive substances besides radioiodine. They may cause medical complications for some individuals with poorly functioning kidneys. KI should be taken only when there is a clear public health recommendation. • CURRENT RISK - The GoJ’s recent actions in response to events at the FDNPP are in line with the existing recommendations for radiation exposure. The GoJ has evacuated individuals who were living within a 20-km radius around the FDNPP. Those living between 20 km and 30 km from the plant are being asked to shelter indoors. • RISK OF RADIOACTIVE EXPOSURE FROM FOOD CONTAMINATION • There is a risk of exposure as a result of contamination in food. • However, contaminated food would have to be consumed over prolonged periods to represent a risk to human health. • Monitoring of vegetables and milk has demonstrated I-131 in concentrations above Japanese regulatory limits. Cs-137 has also been detected. (See “Radionuclides in Food and Water” Slides for add’l details) • Local government authorities have advised residents to avoid these foods and have implemented measures to prevent their sale and distribution. • Currently, there is no evidence that radioactivity from the FDNPP has contaminated food produced in any other country. • RADIATION MONITORING • As of 6th April, one restriction for infants related to I-131 (100 Bq/l) is in place as a precautionary measure in only one village of the Fukushima prefecture. • Fukushima Prefecture has started the screening from 13 March. It is carried out by rotating the evacuation sites and at the 13 places (set up permanently) such as health offices. Up until April 2nd, the screening was done to 122,613 people. Among them, 102 people were above the 100,000 cpm, but when measured these people again without clothes, etc., the counts decreased to 100,000 cpm and below, and there was no case which affects health. • LONG-TERM HEALTH EFFECTS • Exposure to high doses of radiation can increase the risk of cancer. • I-131 can be released during nuclear emergencies. If radioactive iodine is breathed in or swallowed, it will concentrate in the thyroid gland and increase the risk of thyroid cancer. Among persons exposed to I-131, the risk of thyroid cancer can be lowered by taking potassium iodide pills, which helps prevent the uptake of the radioactive iodine. • The risk of thyroid cancer following radiation exposure is higher in children and young adults • From March 28th to 30th, examinations of thyroid gland for 946 children aged from 0 to 15 years old were carried out at the Kawamata Town Community Center and the Iidate Village Office. The result was not at the level of having harmful influence. Health Risks to people living outside of Japan due to Radiation (from FDNPP) Thus far, there are no health risks to people living in other countries from radioactive material released into the atmosphere from the Japanese nuclear power plants. Radiation levels measured to date in other countries are far below the level of background radiation that most people are exposed to in every day circumstances. Radiation levels are being monitored by the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), which operates 63 surveillance stations around the world. IAEA Briefing: 4 April IAEA Fukushima Nuclear Accident Update Log: 3 April 2011 WHO FAQ: Japan Nuclear Concerns: 05 April 2011 GoJ Update-15:30 4 April 2011