A Discussion on Issues Which Elderly Evacuees after FDNP Accident Think about for the Returning to Own Hometown

Abstract

The present study investigated the thoughts of elderly evacuees after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident about for the returning to their hometowns, and discussed the support needed for them. The subjects were 86 elderly people (mean age: 74.2 ± 7.2 years) whose hometown was one city in Fukushima. They completed a questionnaire regarding anxiety about radiation, requirements on return to their hometown, frequency of use of personal dosimetry, and so on. Thirty-nine people answered that they intend to return to their hometown if the evacuation order is lifted. They were mainly worried about the level of radiation and the post-decontamination state. Twenty-one people always use a personal dosimetry, while 34 people use it only on return to their home town temporarily. The rebuilding for evacuees to return to their hometowns needs a construction of a safe living environment such as satisfactory decontamination work and comfortable infrastructure.