FNCA HRD Aug.

2016 in Malaysia

Risk Communication with the Public after

Fukushima Dai-ichi NPP Accident (Japan)

Dr. Kiyonobu YAMASHITA

FNCA-HRD project leader of Japan
Dr. Yuko IKUTA
N-HRD Center
Japan Atomic Energy Agency

http://youtu.be/ps79fVZ9uk8

Risk (Concern) Communication after increase of radiation dose

Accident
Crisis
communication

Risk (concern) communication

(Risk about present and future )

Improvement of risk communication

with experience

Who can make risk communication with

public after accident ?
Trust
1, Medical doctors
2, University professors (Nagasaki Uni)
3, National nuclear research institute(JAEA)
4. Government (Ministry of Education:MEXT)
5, NPP venders
6. Electric Power Companies
Low Trust
5

Contents
After accident
1, Crisis communication (Nagasaki Uni)
2, Activities of National research institute (JAEA)
-Radiation measurement support
-Risk communication
3, Publication of supplemental material for
learning about Radiation for school- students and teachers,
(MEXT)

Recommendation for future risk communication

4, Teaching radiation science in schools for proper
understanding the radiation
5, Self-measurement of natural radiation for students

Crisis communication University professors (Nagasaki Uni)

Questions in the Crisis Communication

just after Accident

Activities of national research institute

(JAEA) after the accident
Risk communication with residents in
Fukushima
-at Whole Body counter
-Hot line
-Gethering

JAEAs
Researcher
s

Risk communication at Whole Body Counter (WBC)

measurement for Fukushima pref. residents
JAEA received large number of
residents of the ten towns of
Fukushima Pref.( Futaba, Okuma,
Tomioka, etc) within the deliberate
evacuation area and restricted area,
and measures their internal exposure
using the Whole Body Counter.

Measurement by Whole Body

Counter

K-49 1.461MeV

Hearing concern of residents

Energy spectrum measured

Risk Communication Activities of JAEA

after the Fukushima Dai-ichi NPP Accident
JAEA has taken various actions immediately after the Great East
Japan Earthquake as a Designated national research institut.
The activities included communication with the local residents
with the aim to consult on questions, and anxieties about
radiation.

Health Consultation Hotline

Gatherings to Answer for
questions on Radiation
Meet the requests for other
communication activities
outside Fukushima

Risk communication at Health Consultation with Hotline

To consult local residents on questions, worry

and anxiety about radiation and its safety

Over

33,000 consultations have been conducted so

far in the hotline including weekend and public
holiday
(as of the end of May 2012)
The

total number of staff from

the JAEA in this activity has been
1,900. (total
5,098Opening
times)
Time
9:00 - 18:00 (Mon - Sat*)
Operation
Telephone System
No. of Consultants

4 lines with headsets (max 8 lines available)

Set up PC on each desk in order to gain
relevant information on web
Approx. 6 people (each day)

March / April 2011

* Consultations on Sunday have been suspended since 11 Feb 2012

th

12

Number of consultations at Health Hotline

Number of
consultations

*Only conducted by
JAEA(NEAT

From March 2011 to April

2012
TOTAL :
32,760*

13

Example of Typical Q&A on Hotline

(Q&A extracted from a day in August 2011)

1. General issues in daily life laundry , bedding, outside

children play..)
Question
Is it ok to open windows?
Is it ok to switch on air conditioning?
Do we need to wear a mask?
Is it ok to hang laundry outside?
Is there any problem to expose skin?
We (parents) want to remove soil at
kindergarten by ourselves, is there any point
to care?
Is it ok that grass and soil around house were
collected and stored at one place?
How long the standard value of 20mSv/y for
usage of school continue?
I want to know the reason of 3.8 Sv/h for
usage of school ?

Answer
No problem, to prevent
humidity and heat
stroke, please well ventilated. But if windy, its
preferable not to so.
If it is not extracting outside air, no
problem.
It is better to wear a mask in windy day
No problem
No problem
To wear a mask and rubber gloves(if watering),
not scraping whole surface area from the
beginning, try a small area and compare
results at before and after.
It is safer, if covering by a sheet and putting in
plastic bags
By the end of August, after it will be revised

Is it ok to let children play outside?

Explain the relation between 20mSv and 3.8

Sv/h
No problem

Is it ok that children clean a swimming pool?

No problem

14

Cont.
2. Radiation effects on Human body (infant, child and
pregnant women.)
Question
I have a 7month old baby, recently had chest
x-ray twice. Is it ok?
Is breast feeding ok?
If I become pregnant, is there any effect on
baby?
and Is breast feeding ok?
I am pregnant, is it ok to open windows?
Do elderly people have less radiation effects?

Answer
From X-ray exposure
is 50-100Sv/time, there
is no problem with compare to the natural
radiation (1.5mSv/y)
No problem
Both are no problem
It is OK.
To compare with children, adult have a low
sensitivity to radiation

3. Intake (agricultural Products and water

.)
Question
Is it ok to eat orange and plum
grown in my garden?
I will grow some vegetables and
cabbage already grown( before
the accident) in my garden, it is
ok to eat them?
Is groundwater (well water) safe?

Answer
If no distribution
restriction, it is
ok to eat.
Just in case, wash before eating
Vegetables growing from now is
eatable.
Cabbage is restricted to eat, so
better to not eat.
If no restriction around your area,
no problem. If you are still
worried, check at the local
government.

15

Cont.
4. Measurements (Survey .. )
Question
I was at Town close to NPP when the accident
occurred, and worried about internal exposure.
People in evacuation area should be checked
by WBC. As measurements are not conducted,
waiting the reduction of internal radiation level?
I am worried about internal exposure, is any
place to check? And I did not have any
activities to get internal exposure.
As each monitoring post has a different level of
dose rate, I am worried so I want to measure by
myself. Is it possible to borrow the dose mater?

Answer
I will pass on this enquire to
MEXT
There is no place to check internal exposure who
are possibly not affected by. Explain there is no
need to worry too much, obtain understanding.
Renting the dose meter is not available now.

5. Medical and Protection issues (Iodine preparation .. )

Question

Answer

Do we need to take iodine preparation in

Ibaraki pref.?

In Ibaraki pref., no need to take it. If taking,

please following the instructions of doctors

What does it mean no immediate effects ?

The surface of entrance hall has 10times higher
than air dose rate in my house and I have a
6month old baby, is it safe? Do we take
radioactive materials into our body in daily life?

Explain the meaning of immediate and so

even the entrance hall is 10 times higher but
staying there not all the time. Suggest that if
you are still worried, clean the surface and
check no more release of materials even the
16
dose rate is not reduced so much

Cont.
6. Monitoring

Question

Answer

How to distinguish between Air dose rate and

accumulative air dose rate?
What types of radioactivity (except I-131 and
Cs-137) have been detected? If so, how they
effect on our health? Is the air dose rate not
reduced anymore?

Explain other detected radioactivity, half-life

and how stored in the body. Also, the air dose
rate will be reduced but it takes a long time to
return the former level of the accident.

What differences among , , -ray?

Explain the types of radiation

About the natural depuration of radioactive

material

Like rain could have the natural depuration but

not have a big effect.
Not clearly indicated by ICRP. Percentage of
internal exposure is small, so more weight on
external exposure.

Is internal exposure included in 20mSv/y?

Explain the differences

7. Concerns and anxiety IAEAs difference in outlook, unfounded

rumors)

Question

Is it not safe to expose to a low dose level for a

long time?
My work is vehicle maintenance, and inhaling
dust created from tires in contact with the
ground. Is it any problem with my work?
The dose rate has not been reduced for a few
weeks, as continuing the release of
radioactivity from NPP?
On a blog, Pu was found in rice fields away
fromNPP.
And measurements by U.S. EPA, some
information on detecting U and Pu in the air. Is
it true?

Answer
The annual guideline
is 100mSv. Damage from
radiation will be recovered with time so
exposing to 100mSv for 10 years will not
directly lead to developing illness.
No problem, just in case, explained to take
caution for internal exposure.
Current dose is from the initial release of
accident, so it is not continued to be released
from
(afterNPP
researching) regarding rice fields, a
company conducted independently, so cannot
provide detailed data.
As EPA, the measured value of U and Pu is
certainly greater than before the accident,17but
below the detection limit in most measurement,

Cont.
8. Questions to the government and the local government
Question
1. I have 2 children, as high dose rate, is it any
problem to go outside? And as each expert
explains with diffident views, I dont know
what I should believe?
2. National standards is vary. Individual
sensitivity to radiation is also vary, so I am
worried about future effects in 10-20 years.
3. Dividing evacuation zone and the 20mSv
guideline are unclear.
4. I dont understand to apply the same limit
dose rate to TEPCO female staff and children
How much percent of dose rate is in inside
against outside? Does Follow-up survey (longterm radiation damage) need? If so will the
government conduct it?
How to measure internal exposure? Where
should I ask?
My children and parent have done X-ray many
times, is there any exposure limit?
When Fukushima accident is settle down, will
the government issue declaration of safety?
Replacing surface to ground soil at playground,
is any impact on groundwater? As there is any
information, I am worried to use the water. Not
disagree to replacement, just want
announcement of effects on water in order to
decide to use the groundwater or not.
When I go to such as Tokyo, am discriminated
just as from Fukushima, report only correct
information on the media

Answer
1. Currently, no problem. Need to wait
results from surveys and researches to
find accurate future effects 10-20 years.
2~4. I will pass on this enquire to MEXT

It is 40%.
Request to the Government to do so
Explain body waste measurements such as
urine test and introduce National Institute for
Radiation
X-ray is 50-100 Sv/time, a few times is not a
problem.
Think that the Government will take some
actions
Measurements on groundwater and well water
havent been conducted enough, as iodine was
high in tab water, but cesium was low, so
assume cesium will not exceed the limit level,
but no supporting data. I will pass on this
enquire
to on
MEXT
I will pass
this enquire to MEXT
18

Gatherings to Answer Questions on Radiation

Common materials for communication were
made based on the experience in Hot line

Communication activities since

July 2011
Researchers and specialists
sent to Fukushima prefecture
schools (from kindergartens to
junior high schools) on their
request (including requests
from the general public from
this April)
Communication is aimed to
explain basic knowledge on
radiation and take sufficient
time to answer questions from

Text used for the communication activities

Risk communication in Gatherings on Radiation

Exposure Effects
Pictures from Gatherings in Fukushima (Japanese Fiscal Year 2011)
JAEAs researchers

Preschool at Fukushima city (July, 30,

2011)

Junior high school at Iwaki city (Sept., 30, 2011)

Preschool at Nihonmatsu city (August,

31, 2011)

Preschool at Shirakawa city (Nov., 04, 2011)

Radiation and
Its Effects on Human Health

Japan Atomic Energy Agency

21

Radioactive Materials Contained in Foods

Natural radioactive material (Potassium-40) is contained
in various foods

MILK
10Bq (200ml)

BEER
5Bq (500ml)

BANANA 13Bq
(120g)

DRIED MUSHROOM
14Bq (20g)
Source: Nuclear Publication 2003-2004

MEAT
20Bq (200g)

BREAD 4.2 Bq
(140g)

SEAWEED
20Bq (10g)

RICE
6Bq (200g)

FISH
10Bq (100g)

Crisps 36Bq
(90g)

SWEET POTATO
13.8Bq (100g)
22

Radiation From Foods

NaI detector of d=20cm x2

Radioactive materials in the body

Potassium-40

4,000

Bq
Carbon-14
2,500 Bq
Rubidium-87
500 Bq
Lead-210
&
Polonium-210
20 Bq
Natural radioactivity
in human body and foods

Measured amount of 40K is 3000Bq

in Yamashitas body

(for an average Japanese weighing 60 kg)

Potassium-40

K in Japanese foods per kg (Bq/kg)

40

Dried Kelp 2,000

Soft Seaweed 200

Chips

Dried Mushroom 700

Milk 50

Bread

30

400

Spinach

Rice 30

200

Beef 100

Beer 10

Fish

100

Source: Nuclear Safety Research Association Research on environmental radiation data (1983)
14

Various units of Radiation and Radioactivity

Sievert is a unit of radiation effects on human
Imaging Boxing

Radioactivity

Radioactive intensity (numbers /s )

(How many decays of atom per second)
Unit: Becquerel(Bq)

Absorbed Dose

Number of Punch /s

The radiation energy absorbed in the body

Unit: Gray (Gy)
Power of Total Punchs

Equivalent Dose (Effective Dose)

how much radiation affects the human body?
Unit: Sievert(Sv)
Size of Damage (injury)

1mSv = 1000Sv
24

Different Impact level of Radiation

As the same dose rate, exposure for a long time has lower
health effects than exposure at once
for example

Iron Ball (1kg)

Iron Powder (1kg)

Fall for once

It will be injured

Fall gradually
for 1 hour

25

Is it safe to dry laundry at outside?

Except Evacuation and In-house Zone, there is no
problem to hung out laundry or bedding at outside

Source: National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), Japan Health Physics Society (JHPS)

26

Major Worries of the Public obtained in risk communication

(from Survey at 40 places)

Main Worries
Multiple Choice choice up to 2
0%

20%

40%

Helath Effedts
Air Monitoring Results

ffect on Babies, Pregnancy

Water
Food(Vegetables, Fish
Soil

60%

80%

65.6
24.0
20.3
16.4
37.4
25.1

Others 2.5
No Answer 2.5

N=2764

Free description

Worries for Pregnant

mothers, babies,
infants.
Worries for hereditary
effects
Worries for
discrimination,
damages caused by
rumors
Worries for future daily
life, work
Worries for the need27

Problems and Points for Good Communication (1/2)

After the Fukushima Dai-ichi NPP accident

1.The main worries for Health Effects of
radiation
it is no longer interest but
worry
2.Now the worries are shifting to
Discrimination that their children might
experience in the future
In the longer perspective what was not right
were
3.Most people lacked to have any information
on radiation before the accident. ( 75 %)
4.Main information source is TV, for the
youngers, from the Internet, which is full with

28

Problems and Points for Good Communication (2/2)

Points for Good Communication

1.Less use of unnecessary technical words will
get everybody confused
2.To respond sincerely and not give dishonest
and wrong information a minimum
requirement
3.Be a good Listener ... or nothing will begin
4.Understanding what kind of questions and
concerns they have Dont be a Mr/Ms Know it
all
5.to leave the individual to answer/decide by
themselves whether or not Safe must be
decided by themselves
29

3, Publication of supplemental
material for
learning about Radiation for
school students and teachers,
(MEXT)

Publication of Supplemental Material for Learning about Radiation, not only for students
but also for teacher

The accident has elevated school students concern on

radiation.
The Ministry of education and science (MEXT) published supplemental
learning material on radiation for students of elementary school, secondary
school and high school, immediately after the NPP-accidents

Elem

l
c hoo
s
y
r
enta

High
scho
ol

Secondary school

Contents is in Japanese
31

For Example of content

Mysterious World of Radiation(1/2)

This is a flower narcissus.

What is this ?

Mysterious World of Radiation(1/2)

Radiation from Plants

Sensitive paper is exposed

by radiation from 40K in narcissus

Potassium K is contained in plants. Natural K contains 0.012% of

emitting radiation.
POINT
We cannot see radiation, but radiation is around us all the time
3

40

Radiation in the Natural World since Ancient Times

From the Ground

Radioactive materials are contained in the ground of the

earth elements emitting radiation (radioactive materials)
are contained in rocks and soil.
some radioactive elements have
longer half-lives, such as thorium and
uranium, remain
The annual dose from natural
radiation at Kerala, India is 10mSv due to a large
amount of minerals (monazites) that contains a
radioactive element called thorium.

Ground 0.48 mSv/ year

Radiation in the Natural World since Ancient Times

From Air

A radioactive material called radon Rn is in the air.

Radon is generated from the ground all over the world.
222

Ra 218Po(Polonium) +

heavy metal +

Air(Radon) 1.26 mSv/year

218

222

Ra

Po
Air
(Radon)
1.26

222
218

Ra

Po

Rain contains radioactive materials

The level of radon inside houses made of stone is

higher than other types of houses
6

Effects of Radiation (4/6)

Relationship between Radiation Levels and Health

Non-Natural
Radiation

Amount of radiation energy

Gray(Gy) absorbed by materials and human

Natural Radiation

100Gy

Cancer
treatment
(Affected parts)

(mSv)

10Gy

Cardiac catheter (skin)

Outer space 0.4 Ground 0.5

1Gy

0.1Gy
Annual limited dose (Radiation
worker)
CT/once
PET/once
Annual limited dose
(General public)
X-ray
photograph
(Stomach)
X-ray photograph (chest)

Cataract
Temporary hair loss
1000mSv
Sterility
Cloudiness of eye lens
Depression of blood
forming
100mSv

No clear evidence for

the increase of
10mSv
cancer risk
1mSv

0.1mSv

0.01mSv

Air (radon) 1.2

Ramsar in Iran
(natural radiation/year)
Kerela and Chennai in India
Pocos de Caldas in Brazil
World: Natural Radiation
(2.4mSv/person/year)

Japan: Natural Radiation

(2.1mSv/person/year)
Tokyo-NY(Round trip)
(Increase of cosmic rays due to
altitude)

Dental photograph
Millisievert (mSv)

15

Food 0.3

Radiation risks (cancer, hereditary effects*) on human body

Source: Documents from National Institute of Radiological Sciences and others
http://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/shuppan/sonota/attach/1344729.htm , http://www.nirs.go.jp

Risk Factors of Cancer

Risk factor

Cancer Risk

Radiation exposure: 1000 ~

2000mSv

1.8 times

Smoking
Drinking (540cc of Japanese
sake /day)

1.6 times

Underweight

1.29 times

Overweight

1.22 times

Radiation exposure: 200 ~

500mSv

1.19 times
1.15 ~ 1.19
times

Lack of exercise
High salt intake

1.11 ~ 1.15
Source: Japan Radioisotope Association Radiations ABC(2011) and others
times

Reference
[ Relative risk of cancer by radiation and lifestyle ]
The table below is the survey result published by National Cancer Center in Japan. The table indicates that how many times cancer risks increase (relative risk) by
comparing between a target group and a control group (e.g. smokers and non-smokers).

Radiation exposure :100 ~

16

Providing education material for

radiation

You can find the material, if you put the

following keyword in internet

JAEA-Review 2014-044

38

Recommendation for future risk communication based on

risk communication experience after the accident.
4, Teaching radiation science in schools for proper
understanding the radiation
5, Measurement experience of natural radiation for students

39

4, Teaching radiation science in schools for proper understanding the radiation

for students

Description about radiation, in school text

Shielding
effect ,

Natural
radiation
2.4mSv/year

Definition of Bq, Gy, Sv, Equivalent

dose, Effective equivalent dose

High school (text of Physics)

Secondary school (text of Science)

HAKARU-kun (Mr. Measure-man Junior) (MEXT)

Purpose: Students measure natural radiation by themselves and
understand that natural radiation exist overall around them.

The Hakaru-kun project

long

history, started in 1989.

Several

handy-type survey-meters were developed

Lending them (more than 8,000 items prepared) to schools, to
estimate rough ambient dose equivalent.

Survey-meters are called

as Hakaru-kun,
which

is a nickname of the instruments,

and developed for the purpose of radiation education.

41

Information about Onagawa NPP surviving Tsunami

is provided to Cyber Learning Platform for Nuclear
Education and Training (CLP4NET)

42

11 NPPS were in operation on March 11

Damaged NPPs are 4 NPPs of Fukushima Daiichi.
Distance from
the epicenter

76km

Damaged
154km

Epicenter on March 11 M9.0

43

259km

Onagawa NPP (Tohoku EPC)

Pacific coast of Tohoku EPCs business area is famous for Rias (Saw tooth)
coast line where tsunami becomes high
The company had been familiar with ancient tradition or legend about
disasters caused by huge magnitude of tsunami.
The stone tablet standing on a
forested hillside with the
stark warning carved on its
weathered face: Do not build
your houses below this point!
The waves stopped just a few
meter below the stone on
Mach 11..
Hundreds of so-called tsunami
stones, some more than six
centuries old are warnings
across generations, telling
descendants to avoid the same
suffering of their ancestors,

World Association of Nuclear Operators(WANO) presents

Nuclear Excellence Executive Officer T. Watanabe for his
excellent leadership.

Strong trust with inhabitants in Onagawa NP

Onagawa
NPS

Roads cut off due to the

earthquake.

364 people evacuated to the Onagawa NPS. The station

became the refuge of local inhabitants after the
earthquake disaster. They stay there in three months
until June.
At the earthquake disaster, there were 1,500 people in
the power station, and there was only 4,500 meals of
emergency food in those days. There was not enough to
eat 3 times /a day. They have decided to have only
one meal in a day

Public relation manager of NPT

Communicates with head of districts

Conclusion
Pre education for radiation
is the most important for
good risk communication

It is difficult to fear something justly.

It is easy to fear something too little, or too

much. But it seems rather difficult to fear it
justly.
--TERADA Torahiko (1935) (translation from Japanese).

Radiation measurement just after accident

The correspondence situation of the emergency after the accidents

Screening

Reading cumulative radiation dose of

Fukushima

Monitoring squad base (Cedar wife Hall)

Sleeping conditions at the beginning

activities

Support for radiation measurement

Upbringing training course for general
maintenance workers
1, about radiation measurement (One day course, in J-Village )
2, about radiation management (five days course, in JAEA )

Request of Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry

(METI to JAEA

training course for radiation

measurement

training course for management

management

Cumulative dose of radiation measurement workers become close to the limit,

Other workers have to work as radiation measurement workers

Major Questions at Gethering (1/2)

1. Survey Meter
Q1-1. Is a cheap survey meter sold in the internet reliable?
A1. There are many types of survey meters, have a different sensitivity.
GM survey meter cannot measure exceeding the provisional guideline
for foods. NaI scintillation detector cannot distinguish between Cs-134
and 137, but can do screening test. GE semiconducting detector
accurately measures the concentration in foods but is expensive.
Survey meter for - ray measurement has a sensitivities with 30
200 . Using a calibrated survey meter.
Q1-2. Can -ray, -ray, -ray measured by a single survey meter?
Q1-3. What kind of meter is it used for the provisional guideline for foods
(Bq/kg)
2. Exposed dose
Q2-1. Is 20mSv/year an appropriate level? not dangerous level to
children?, included internal
exposure?
Q2-2. I want to know the relation between 20mSv/y and cancer incidence
Q2-3. As there is a point with a high radiation rate, is there any worry
about internal exposure? Should we wear a mask?
Q2-4. Is exposure dose of developing acute disorder an accumulated

Major Questions at Gethering (2/2)

3. School and kindergarten
Q3-1. Is letting children play at playground or sand pit safe?
Q3-2. Is it ok to have lessons with windows open?
Q3-3. A high dose rate is detected at flowerbed, what should we do?
Q3-4. What should we do about removing soil from playground?
Q3-5. What is a substantial reason for playground survey points
(soil surface, 50cm and 1m height)
Q3-6. How to conduct a survey at playground and sand pit of
kindergarten?
4. Harmful rumors
Q4-1. How to prevent to be hit by rumors
Q4-2. What is a substantial condition for the provisional guideline for foods,
if below the guideline value, is it safe to eat?
Q4-3 Radioactive materials are detected from foods, what should we do as
consumers?
5. Others
Q5-1. Why high dose areas are not to be concentric circles of 5km or 10km
in Fukushima Pref.
Q5-2 Is it possible to convey the surface contamination density Bq/cm2 to
the dose rate Sv/h?
51
Q5-3. What is a reason to wear protective cloths?

Fukui Atomic Energy Science Museum At Home

(Prefectural Government Activity)
Exhibit for mechanism of thermal and
nuclear power generation

Nuclear

Thermal

Children, school students and Mama

are welcome

52

Visitors learn Energy and Radiation

with pleasure using Hands-on
Exhibits

Visual Attraction in the Theater

The visual system of large-sized screens and 50 personal
computers.
Learning energy and nuclear power through challenging
quizzes.

Enjoy game or quizzes

with touch-screen PC

Enjoining Quizzes about science

53

NPP-related exhibits among amusements

Control of neutron

Fast breeder reactor

Fuel assembly in real dimension

Uranium ore

Exhibit show real natural

radiation from outer space

Yellow cake

UF6

UO2

Fuel pellet

Fuel assembly and fuel material

Visitors became familiar with nuclear energy through amusements

54