![]() The earthquake and subsequent tsunami, which flooded over 500 square kilometres of land, resulted in the loss of more than 20,000 lives and destroyed property, infrastructure and natural resources. On 11 March 2011, at 14.46 local time, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake occurred near Honshu, Japan, creating a devastating tsunami that left a trail of death and destruction in its wake. UNITED NATIONS SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON THE EFFECTS OF ATOMIC RADIATION Website: Background information for journalists The Scientific Committee considered that further studies could be useful on regional impacts on wildlife populations and the impacts of radiation exposure on non-human biota under field conditions that are able to take account of higher levels of biological organization, within natural environments, and elements of ecosystem function and structure. Radionuclide concentrations in most monitored foodstuffs have declined rapidly following the accident. The Committee continues to consider that regional impacts on wildlife populations with a clear causal link to radiation exposure resulting from the FDNPS accident is unlikely, although some detrimental effects in some plants and animals have been observed in areas of enhanced radiation levels. By 2012, the concentrations of Caesium-137, even in the coastal waters off the FDNPS site, were little above the levels prevailing before the accident. The Scientific Committee also evaluated the information on the transfers of released radioactive material through the terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. With regard to workers, the Scientific Committee concluded that an increase in the incidence of cancers is unlikely to be discernible in workers for leukaemia, and total solid cancers (including thyroid cancer). In addition, in the general public, there has been no credible evidence of excess congenital anomalies, stillbirths, preterm deliveries or low birthweights related to radiation exposure. Rather, they are the result of ultrasensitive screening procedures that have revealed the prevalence of thyroid abnormalities in the population not previously detected. The Committee believes that, on the balance of available evidence, the large increase, (relative to that expected), in the number of thyroid cancers detected among exposed children is not the result of radiation exposure. The Scientific Committee has also assessed the incidence of thyroid cancer that could be inferred from the estimated radiation exposure and concluded that this is not likely to be discernible, in any of the age groups considered, including to children and those exposed in utero to radiation. The Committee therefore continues to consider that future health effects directly related to radiation exposure are unlikely to be discernible. ![]() The updated dose estimates to members of the public have either decreased or are comparable with the Scientific Committee’s previous estimates. The improved models, based on additional monitoring data and more comprehensive information about people’s actual diet and behaviour in Japan, led to the Committee reviewing and updating its dose estimates. This new information has enabled the Scientific Committee to perform an improved and more robust evaluation of the levels and effects of radiation due to exposure from the accident. In the last decade, a significant amount of new information has emerged with regard to exposure estimates. Overall, the UNSCEAR 2020 Report broadly confirms the major findings and conclusions of the UNSCEAR 2013 Report. The aim of the report is to provide a summary of all scientific information and an appraisal of the implications of this information for the UNSCEAR 2013 Report. These data relate to the levels and effects of radiation exposure due to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station (FDNPS). Titled “Levels and effects of radiation exposure due to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station: Implications of information published since the UNSCEAR 2013 Report”, the UNSCEAR 2020 report summarizes all relevant scientific information (peer reviewed literature and monitoring data) available up to the end of 2019. “Since the UNSCEAR 2013 Report, no adverse health effects among Fukushima residents have been documented that could be directly attributed to radiation exposure from the accident,” noted Ms. cancer directly related to radiation exposure are unlikely to be discernible, in its 2020 Report launched today. VIENNA, 9 March (UN Information Service) – A decade after the triple tragedy that occurred in Japan in March 2011, the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) said that future health effects, e.g. Radiation-linked increases in cancer rates not expected to be seen For information only – not an official documentĩ March 2021 A decade after the Fukushima accident:
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