Report From Fukushima: Medical assistance to local residents

On 11 March 2011, a massive earthquake and tsunami struck Japan and led to meltdowns in the reactors of  the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The release of radioactive material into the air, water, and soil raised public concerns about radiation exposure and the long-term risk of cancer among nearby residents. According to Mr. Shuhei Nomura (a doctoral student in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Imperial College London), there has been a great deal of speculation, but relatively little actual scientific evidence has been available on the current situation around Fukushima.

Mr Nomura was based in Minamisoma General Municipal Hospital, Fukushima Prefecture, during the recovery period after the disaster. He will give a talk about current radiation levels in coastal cities (Minamisoma City and Soma City, 15-40km north of the nuclear plant), as well as key issues and challenges facing the residents of these cities. He will also show data from the internal and external radiation screening programmes for residents of these cities – work in which he has been involved since it was launched in Japan in July 2011.

Contributors: Shuhei Nomura

Free but booking is essential at www.dajf.org.uk/bookin