Estimating of internal radiation doses due to food consumption and its reduction applying the food regulation after the Fukushima nuclear accident using national food-monitoring data

Abstract

Objectives: The study examined the public health policies implemented after the Fukushima nuclear accident using the monitoring data on food.

Methods: The amount of radioactive material ingested was determined and converted into doses using the Japan National Health and Nutrition Survey and food radioactive concentration monitoring data sampled by each prefecture in June of each year between 2011 and 2019. The study also examined the effects of public health policies on the basis of the differences between (1) calculation using all food monitoring data in the absence of interventions and (2) application of the restriction.

Results: In June 2011, the median committed effective dose for adult males was estimated at 18.3 μSv (with regulation) in Fukushima Prefecture. The effect of food restriction was 42.2% for the population for intaking foods with median radiation dose (the median population) in Fukushima in 2011.

Conclusion: The effect of food restriction was 42.2% for the median population in Fukushima in 2011, which points to the effectiveness of public health mitigations.