A Brief Review of Dose Estimation Studies Conducted afterthe Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Abstract

Since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident began, many papers on dose estimation have been published. Generally, dose estimation needs dosimetric parameters and assumptions on personal behavior such as style of intake (in the case of internal exposure) and daily time budget (external exposure). Differences in these parameters as well as dose estimation methods result in different dose values, which sometimes leads to misunderstanding and confusion for the general public. This paper reviews articles which mention internal and external doses to residents due to the accident, together with available information on dose estimation methods and assumptions used in those studies. The reviewed articles are categorized according to their topics: (1) internal dose to thyroid, (2) internal dose to the whole-body (effective dose), and (3) external dose. In addition, dose due to natural and medical radiation is discussed.