{"title":"Support activities in Namie Town, Fukushima undertaken by Hirosaki University.","authors":"Shinji Tokonami, Tomisato Miura, Naofumi Akata, Hirofumi Tazoe, Masahiro Hosoda, Kranrod Chutima, Hiromi Kudo, Koya Ogura, Yohei Fujishima, Yuki Tamakuma, Mayumi Shimizu, Kazutaka Kikuchi, Ikuo Kashiwakura","doi":"10.1177/01466453211006806","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01466453211006806","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper does not necessarily reflect the views of the International Commission on Radiological Protection.Several radiation monitoring research projects are underway on dose assessment, biological analysis, and risk communication under an agreement with Namie Town. Indoor radon and thoron progeny concentrations have been measured using passive-type monitors to estimate internal doses due to inhalation. In addition, airborne radiocaesium concentrations at five points in Namie Town have been analysed using a high-purity germanium detector to estimate internal doses for comparison with radon. External radiation doses from natural and artificial radionuclides have also been estimated using an in-situ gamma-ray spectrometer. Other support activities are mentioned briefly in this article.</p>","PeriodicalId":39551,"journal":{"name":"Annals of the ICRP","volume":"50 1_suppl","pages":"102-108"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/01466453211006806","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39081714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of the ICRPPub Date : 2021-07-01Epub Date: 2021-07-27DOI: 10.1177/01466453211010892
Koichi Noda
{"title":"R&D of JAEA for the decommissioning of TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station.","authors":"Koichi Noda","doi":"10.1177/01466453211010892","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01466453211010892","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper does not necessarily reflect the views of the International Commission on Radiological Protection.Since the accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station in March 2011, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has been contributing actively to the environmental recovery of Fukushima and the decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station from a technical aspect, through a wide range of research and development (R&D) activities including fundamental research and applicational technology development. JAEA has been conducting R&D such as the characterisation of fuel debris, and treatment and disposal of radioactive wastes based on the 'Mid-and-Long-Term Roadmap' authorised by the Japanese Government. This R&D is mainly promoted by Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science (CLADS) in Tomioka Town, and CLADS has also been promoting cooperation with domestic and foreign research institutes, related companies, universities, etc. In addition, Naraha Centre for Remote Control Technology Development in Naraha Town commenced full operation in April 2016 for the development and demonstration of remote control technologies planned for use in the decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station and disaster response. Okuma Analysis and Research Centre in Okuma Town is under construction for the analysis and characterisation of fuel debris and various radioactive wastes. Ten years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and the accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station, and environmental conditions in Fukushima have been improving. The evacuation zone has been lifted, and preparation of specific recovery areas in the difficult-to-return zone has progressed. However, the reconstruction of Fukushima and the decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station are still in progress, and JAEA will continue its R&D for the decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station with domestic and international expertise in order to further contribute to the reconstruction of Fukushima.</p>","PeriodicalId":39551,"journal":{"name":"Annals of the ICRP","volume":"50 1_suppl","pages":"37-43"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/01466453211010892","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39225724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of the ICRPPub Date : 2021-07-01Epub Date: 2021-07-28DOI: 10.1177/01466453211010917
I Abalkina, E Melikhova, M Savkin
{"title":"Communicating radiation risks to the residents of the Chernobyl-affected areas in Russia: key lessons learned.","authors":"I Abalkina, E Melikhova, M Savkin","doi":"10.1177/01466453211010917","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01466453211010917","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper does not necessarily reflect the views of the International Commission on Radiological Protection.This article analyses the communication experiences of radiation protection experts at federal/regional and local level. Efforts to justify protective measures were more successful at federal level, while the task of adjusting risk perception among local residents remains unresolved. At the recovery stage (15 years after the accident at Chernobyl nuclear power plant), the main difficulties were associated with the fact that expert knowledge was in conflict with public perception of the risk of low doses and legislative approaches. In these situations, communication success depends directly on an expert's personality. When large areas are affected, the efforts of a few dedicated experts are clearly not sufficient. More systematic approaches (training of doctors, teachers, etc.) require governmental support and experienced personnel. Federal authorities had changed their attitudes by the 15th anniversary of the accident. However, at regional level, this process stretched out for another 15 years. Public perception of large-scale health consequences still persists. Examples and survey results are presented in this article.</p>","PeriodicalId":39551,"journal":{"name":"Annals of the ICRP","volume":"50 1_suppl","pages":"209-216"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/01466453211010917","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39230739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of the ICRPPub Date : 2021-07-01Epub Date: 2021-06-16DOI: 10.1177/01466453211010920
A F Nisbet
{"title":"The role of experts in the development of recovery handbooks: UK and European experience.","authors":"A F Nisbet","doi":"10.1177/01466453211010920","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01466453211010920","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The importance of involving experts in the development of strategies for managing areas contaminated as a result of a nuclear accident is now well recognised. Following the Chernobyl accident in 1986, the initial focus, quite understandably, was on the technical aspects of reducing doses to the affected population. Subsequently, work carried out in the UK and elsewhere in Europe looked at the broader impacts of protective actions on agriculture, the environment, and society. From 1997, a group of experts from academia, government, and non-government organisations met regularly in the UK to debate these issues. One of the outputs included the first version of the UK Recovery Handbook for Radiation Incidents in 2005. Based on the success of the UK group, a European network of experts was established, leading to the development of European handbooks in 2009. The UK handbooks are living documents that are updated regularly with substantive input from experts.</p>","PeriodicalId":39551,"journal":{"name":"Annals of the ICRP","volume":"50 1_suppl","pages":"116-121"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/01466453211010920","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39233816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of the ICRPPub Date : 2021-07-01Epub Date: 2021-06-18DOI: 10.1177/01466453211010865
Akira Ono
{"title":"Fukushima Daiichi decontamination and decommissioning: current status and challenges.","authors":"Akira Ono","doi":"10.1177/01466453211010865","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01466453211010865","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>It has been nearly 10 years since the accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. With the cooperation of those involved, the site, which was once in a crisis situation, has improved to the point where it is possible to look ahead and proceed with work on schedule. In the off-site area, conditions for returning home have been progressed, and evacuation orders for some areas have been lifted by the Japanese Government. This article describes, in respect of the various efforts being made on site at the moment, the current status of fuel removal from the spent fuel pools, preparations for fuel debris retrieval, improvement of the working environment, and future plans. Removal of fuel from the spent fuel pool for Unit 4 was completed in December 2014, and work is continuing with Unit 3 in order to complete by March 2021. The decision was made to install a large cover in advance for Unit 1 in consideration of the risk of dust scattering, and to conduct fuel removal for Unit 2 from the south side without dismantling the existing upper section of the building. The target is for fuel removal from the pools, including Units 5 and 6, to be complete by 2031. Regarding fuel debris retrieval, progress in various investigations has made it possible to grasp the distribution of debris in the reactor containment vessels of Units 1-3 to a certain extent, and it was decided that the first retrieval will start with the most-investigated unit (Unit 2). A robot arm will be used for retrieval; initially, a trial retrieval will be started, and once the retrieval method has been verified and confirmed, the scale of retrieval will be expanded in stages using a device with the same mechanism. The working environment of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has also improved. By reducing the stirring up of radioactive materials due to facing (paving), etc., it became possible to reduce the degree of protective clothing needed, and the area in which people can work with simple clothing such as general work clothes now represents 96% of the entire site. Due to various reduction measures, the effective dose of workers is currently approximately 0.2-0.4 mSv month<sup>-1</sup> on average per person. The work environment will continue to be improved steadily in the future. Finally, I would like to briefly mention the direction of future decommissioning efforts. The decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant and contaminated water management are being implemented based on the national Mid-and-Long-Term Roadmap. The latest edition (5th revision) sets out the milestones until 2031, and we are on target to achieve the goals set forth here and the goals set forth in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's risk map. To that end, the Mid-and-Long-Term Decommissioning Action Plan 2020, which shows the main work processes of the decommissioning, was announced. This will enable us to proceed with decommissioning work more systematically in the future while looking a","PeriodicalId":39551,"journal":{"name":"Annals of the ICRP","volume":"50 1_suppl","pages":"24-30"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/01466453211010865","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39244970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of the ICRPPub Date : 2021-07-01Epub Date: 2021-06-22DOI: 10.1177/01466453211006811
Toyoaki Yamauchi
{"title":"Status of research and development conducted by the International Research Institute for Nuclear Decommissioning.","authors":"Toyoaki Yamauchi","doi":"10.1177/01466453211006811","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01466453211006811","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Since the International Research Institute for Nuclear Decommissioning (IRID) was established as a technology research association in August 2013, it has been engaged in research and development (R&D) for decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which is currently an urgent issue, to strengthen the platform for decommissioning technology for the future. The work of IRID R&D is classified into three main pillars: removal of spent nuclear fuel from the pool; retrieval of fuel debris; and technological development for treatment and disposal of solid radioactive waste. This article describes an overview of R&D as of the first half of the fiscal year 2020, mainly focusing on investigation inside primary containment vessels and retrieval of fuel debris.</p>","PeriodicalId":39551,"journal":{"name":"Annals of the ICRP","volume":"50 1_suppl","pages":"31-36"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/01466453211006811","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39097489","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of the ICRPPub Date : 2021-07-01Epub Date: 2021-07-13DOI: 10.1177/01466453211010919
A Goto, Y Yumiya, K Ueda
{"title":"Feedback assessment from the audience as part of health literacy training for health professionals: a case from Fukushima after the nuclear accident.","authors":"A Goto, Y Yumiya, K Ueda","doi":"10.1177/01466453211010919","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01466453211010919","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Following the accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in 2011, a series of health literacy training workshops for local health workers was developed and implemented. This study aimed to analyse who among the intended audience gained the greatest benefit from the training. Nine health workers attended a workshop consisting of classroom training and a follow-up feedback assessment of materials they created in the workshop. The materials were assessed by a total of 131 intended readers. Using Sakai's tool, those items asking readers to rate the accessibility of written information were used to compare the materials before and after revision. The total score for Sakai's measure showed a significant improvement, and the elderly and those without regular doctor visits were more likely to notice improvements after revision. Such health literacy training could serve as a model programme to prevent inequity in access to health information in the face of a regional health crisis.</p>","PeriodicalId":39551,"journal":{"name":"Annals of the ICRP","volume":"50 1_suppl","pages":"167-173"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39179686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of the ICRPPub Date : 2021-07-01Epub Date: 2021-07-14DOI: 10.1177/01466453211015396
Hajimu Yamana
{"title":"The institutional structure for decommissioning Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.","authors":"Hajimu Yamana","doi":"10.1177/01466453211015396","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01466453211015396","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper does not necessarily reflect the views of the International Commission on Radiological Protection.This article describes the institutional structure established for decommissioning Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. To deal with the aftermath of the unprecedented nuclear accident in Fukushima, several responsible institutions such as Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) have worked together at the initiative of the Government of Japan. In this structure, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) implements the decommissioning due to its legal responsibility, while the essential direction and milestones are set by the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters of the Government of Japan. Nuclear Damage Compensation and Decommissioning Facilitation Corporation, a government-affiliated organisation, oversees and facilitates the decommissioning by TEPCO, and the Nuclear Regulatory Authority regulates safety from an independent standpoint. The main basic elements essential for the success of this long-term project have been developed, such as the technical strategy, financial system, and organisational capability. Decommissioning is making progress.</p>","PeriodicalId":39551,"journal":{"name":"Annals of the ICRP","volume":"50 1_suppl","pages":"15-23"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/01466453211015396","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39183235","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of the ICRPPub Date : 2021-07-01Epub Date: 2021-07-19DOI: 10.1177/01466453211028032
Olena Pareniuk, Nakahiro Yasuda
{"title":"Chornobyl exclusion zone: current status and challenges.","authors":"Olena Pareniuk, Nakahiro Yasuda","doi":"10.1177/01466453211028032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01466453211028032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Comparisons of the large nuclear accidents that occurred at the nuclear power plants in Chornobyl and Fukushima usually focus on the emission of radionuclides, the contamination area, doses to the public and liquidation workers, etc. However, little attention has been paid to various factors that affect decisions regarding the future development of these territories, such as the sociopolitical and economic situation in the countries during the accident and at the present time, the density and structure of the population, climate change, media coverage, and accessibility of information to the public. This article attempts to discuss the above factors, speculates about the paths for future development of both exclusion zones, and suggests the most promising areas for joint research in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":39551,"journal":{"name":"Annals of the ICRP","volume":"50 1_suppl","pages":"201-208"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/01466453211028032","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39199783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annals of the ICRPPub Date : 2021-07-01Epub Date: 2021-07-13DOI: 10.1177/01466453211006817
N Ban
{"title":"From a policy perspective: what is at stake?","authors":"N Ban","doi":"10.1177/01466453211006817","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01466453211006817","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper does not necessarily reflect the views of the International Commission on Radiological Protection.What is at stake? It was one of the most frequently asked questions in a series of fora with concerned parties on the rehabilitation of living conditions in the aftermath of the accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. It was obvious that radioactive contamination was the source of the problem, and people were at a loss over how to cope with the situation. Various measures were taken under such circumstances, including detailed radiation monitoring, a decontamination programme to reduce the level of radiation in the living environment, and activities related to communication about radiation risk. Nevertheless, this question was asked repeatedly. Measures against radiation exposure were certainly necessary, but it is a reality that they were not enough to solve the difficulties experienced by people in the affected areas. This article presents the author's personal view of the underlying reasons for this, and discusses the way to facilitate recovery after a nuclear accident.</p>","PeriodicalId":39551,"journal":{"name":"Annals of the ICRP","volume":"50 1_suppl","pages":"147-152"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39181708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}