UNSCEAR 2020/2021 Report (7/8): Assessment of Health Effects on the General Public
The UNSCEAR assessed public health effects as indicated above based on its exposure dose assessment.
A substantial number of thyroid cancers have been detected among exposed children. However, the excess does not appear to be associated with radiation exposure, but rather a result of the application of highly sensitive ultrasound screening procedures. The reasons are as follows:
- no excess of thyroid cancer has been observed in those exposed before age 5 in Fukushima Prefecture, in contrast to the large excess observed in the same age group exposed as a result of the Chornobyl accident; and
- thyroid cancers were observed within 1 to 3 years after exposure following the accident in Fukushima Prefecture rather than beginning 4 to 5 years after exposure as in Chornobyl and other radiation studies.
There has been no credible evidence of excess congenital anomalies, stillbirths, preterm deliveries or low birthweights related to radiation exposure. Increases in the incidence of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions have been observed among those evacuated following the accident but are probably associated with concomitant social and lifestyle changes and are not attributable to radiation exposure.
[Relevant parts in the Report]
- UNSCEAR 2020/2021 Report (prepared based on paragraphs 213, 215, and 225 on pages 84 to 88 and paragraphs 244 to 248 on pages 96 to 97, ANNEX B)
- Included in this reference material on March 31, 2023