Radiation Risk in Japan

According to ARPANSA (Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency), the risk of exposure to high level radiation in Japan is very low if individuals observe the exclusion zones and stay outside the 80km radius.

According to ARPANSA (Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency) see below, the risk of exposure to high level radiation in Japan is very low if individuals observe the exclusion zones and stay outside the 80km radius. The situation is certainly volatile and may change at any time.

Information is also provided on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website but the exclusion zone differs from those suggested by ARPANSA and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The communication also mentions the use of Potassium iodide tablets under certain circumstances. Potassium iodide is used to block radioactive iodine from depositing in the thyroid and potentially causing cancer. It has no activity against other potentially dangerous radioactive material such as Cesium - 137 and is probably of general interest value only. .

It is highly unlikely that travellers and residents would be exposed to high level radiation under the present circumstances. There may be future health concerns with contaminated food as was the case after the Chernobyl accident in 1986. There will be much discussion on this aspect in coming weeks.

An informative fact sheet discussing ionising radiation and health can be found at: http://www.arpansa.gov.au/radiationprotection/Factsheets/is_rad.cfm

Advice on exposure to radiation arising from nuclear incidents in Japan

18 March 2011: TIME: 1500

Exclusion Zone extended for Australians in Japan: ARPANSA and the Department of Health and Ageing has been continually assessing the nuclear situation in Japan and has recommended, as a precautionary measure, that Australians within an 80 km zone from the Fukushima nuclear power plant move out of the area.

This is a precautionary measure only as the situation in Japan is unstable.

Over night the US made a similar recommendation in accordance with the standard guidelines of their Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Their guidelines would require a zone of 80 km (50 miles) around the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

The Department of Health and Ageing and ARPANSA believe this is prudent advice as a precautionary measure.

While information on radiation levels and wind direction appear unchanged the situation at the power plant is not stable and it is unclear what will evolve.

Note that this recommendation is not based on any current danger in the zone, but is a precautionary measure based on the current uncertainty.

ARPANSA is closely following the safety issues surrounding the Fukushima Dai-ichi site and in particular the current status of effect of hydrogen explosions, fire and aftershocks on the four reactor units and the status of spent fuel ponds at a number of the reactor units. ARPANSA notes that this event has still been rated by the Japanese Government as an INES level 4 (an accident with local consequences).

The recent earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on Friday 11 March has caused major damage to a number of nuclear reactors on the east coast of Japan. The Japanese Government has established an evacuation zone around the affected reactors and is responding to the crisis as it evolves.

It remains the case that although unlikely, there is a small chance of exposure to radiation, at very low levels, for people who were in the Fukushima area and an isolated area near Onagawa prior to noon on 15 March 2011. The health effects from exposure at these low levels are considered very low to negligible.

For those Australians in Japan but outside the affected areas, based on current information, ARPANSA advises that, given the projected wind conditions for the next 48 hours which are heading in a south east direction, any radioactivity that may eventuate from a deterioration in the current status of any of the Fukushima Dai-ichi reactor units, would be dispersed over the sea and would reduce intensity the further away from the reactor site.

Given these current conditions there is no potential for exposure to Australia or countries within the region which would have any health impacts.

As the situation continues to develop, all Australians in Japan are strongly encouraged to continue to follow the protective measures recommended by the Japanese Government. This may include sheltering. In addition, if there is any indication of contamination or if there is any doubt about contamination, this contamination is easily removed by washing your body and clothes.

Australians returning home from Japan are highly unlikely to be contaminated or exposed to significant radiation and will not require checks for radioactivity. However, if people wish to seek medical advice they should contact their local GP.

ARPANSA and the Chief Medical Officer advise that iodine tablets are only required when exposed to substantial radiation doses. There is no current need for those returning from Japan or those in Japan outside the exclusion Zone to consider the use of potassium iodide tablets.

Meetings have been held with GP representatives, the Department of Health and Ageing, and ARPANSA to ensure that people who present with inquiries about radiation exposure will receive consistent advice.

For current ARPANSA media releases see: http://www.arpansa.gov.au/News/MediaReleases/mr1_190311_0900.cfm