Thyroid Ultrasound Examination: Purpose and Coverage

It has been reported that cases of thyroid cancer increased among children after the Chornobyl NPS Accident due to internal exposure to radioactive iodine. Compared with the Chornobyl NPS Accident, the amount of radioactive materials discharged into the environment after the accident in Fukushima was much smaller, and estimated internal and external doses of the residents were even smaller. Therefore, it is predicted that there would be no epidemiologically detectable thyroid health risks (p.141 of Vol. 1, “Evaluation of the Interim Report on Thyroid Cancer Compiled by the Expert Meeting on Health Management After the TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi NPS Accident”). However, as concerns remain about effects of radiation due to the accident on children's thyroid glands, the Thyroid Ultrasound Examination has been continued under the framework of the Fukushima Health Management Survey with the aim of ascertaining children's thyroid status and promoting their health into the future.

• Included in this reference material on March 31, 2013
• Updated on March 31, 2021