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12 pages, 3700 KB

Open AccessArticle

Low-Cost Sensor Deployment on a Public Minibus in Fukushima Prefecture

by Rakotovao Lovanantenaina Omega, Yo Ishigaki, Sidik Permana, Yoshinori Matsumoto, Kayoko Yamamoto, Katsumi Shozugawa and Mayumi Hori

Sensors 2024, 24(5), 1375; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24051375 - 21 Feb 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1603

Abstract

This study analyzed radiation dose data to observe the annual decline in ambient radiation doses and assess the factors contributing to fluctuations in reconstructed areas of the Fukushima prefecture. Utilizing a novel mobile monitoring system installed on a community minibus, the study employed a cost-effective sensor, namely, Pocket Geiger which was integrated with a microcontroller and telecommunication system for data transfer, access, visualization, and accumulation. The study area included the region between Okuma and Tomioka towns. The ambient dose rate recorded along the minibus route was depicted on a map, averaged within a 1 × 1 km mesh created with the Quantum Geographic Information System. To ensure accuracy, the shielding factor of the minibus material is determined to adjust the dose readings. A significant decrease (p < 0.001) in the radiation dose ranges from 2022 to 2023 was observed. The land use classification by the Advanced Land Observation Satellite revealed an ecological half-life ranging from 2.41 years to 1 year, suggesting a rapid radiation decay across all land types. This underscores the close connection between radiation attenuation and environmental factors, as well as decontamination efforts across diverse land categories. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced IoT Systems in Smart Cities)

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12 pages, 1189 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Radiation Risk Perception and Interest in Tritiated Water among Returnees to and Evacuees from Tomioka Town within 20 km of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

by Xu Xiao, Hitomi Matsunaga, Makiko Orita, Yuya Kashiwazaki, Yasuyuki Taira, Thu Zar Win, Jacques Lochard, Thierry Schneider and Noboru Takamura

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2690; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032690 - 2 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3239

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to investigate radiation risk perception, mental health, and interest in tritiated water among evacuees from and returnees to Tomioka town, Japan, as well as to evaluate the intention to return (ITR) among evacuees living inside and outside Fukushima Prefecture. Of the 1728 respondents, 318 (18.4%) and 1203 (69.6%) participants reported living outside and inside Fukushima Prefecture, and 207 (12.0%) reported living in Tomioka. The ITR was not significantly different between those who lived inside and outside the prefecture among the evacuees. Similarly, there were no significant differences in radiation risk perception, mental health, and interest in tritiated water. However, the evacuees were independently associated with a motivation to learn about tritiated water (OR = 1.242, 95%Cl: 1.041–1.438, p = 0.016), reluctance to consume food from Tomioka (OR = 1.635, 95%Cl: 1.372–1.948, p < 0.001), and concern that adverse health effects would occur because of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident (OR = 1.279, 95%Cl: 1.055–1.550, p = 0.012) compared to returnees, according to logistic regression analysis. Interestingly, the returnees were found to have better mental health but lower life satisfaction than the evacuees. These findings suggest the importance of ongoing risk communication about radiation exposure and tritiated water among residents regardless of their place of residency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human and Environmental Risk Assessment: State of the Art and Future Challenges)

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13 pages, 1653 KB

Open AccessArticle

Tailoring Digital Tools to Address the Radiation and Health Information Needs of Returnees after a Nuclear Accident

by Takashi Ohba, Aya Goto, Yui Yumiya, Michio Murakami, Hironori Nakano, Kaori Honda, Kenneth E. Nollet, Thierry Schneider and Koichi Tanigawa

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12704; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312704 - 2 Dec 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3037

Abstract

Digital tools are increasingly used for health promotion, but their utility during recovery from a nuclear disaster has yet to be established. This study analysed differences in knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward digital tools for radiation protection and health promotion, and preferences for specific application functions, among cohorts living within and outside areas affected by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station (FDNPS) accident. A needs assessment was conducted by internet survey, and responses from those affected (N = 86) and not affected (N = 253) were compared and quantified by an adjusted odds ratio (aOR), using logistic regression analyses. KAP toward the radiation-related application in the affected group had an aOR of 1.95 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12–3.38) for knowledge, and 5.71 (CI = 2.55–12.8) for practice. Conversely, toward the health-related application, the aOR of the affected group was 0.50 (CI = 0.29–0.86). The preference in the affected group was significantly lower for two application functions related to radiation measurement and two health-related functions (one about the effects of radiation in general and another about personal health advice in general): aOR range 0.43–0.50. Development of specific applications incorporating the findings from this survey was intended to foster a locally appropriate eHealth environment during recovery from the FDNPS accident. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Challenges in Emergency Response and Public Health in Compound Disasters)

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9 pages, 310 KB

Open AccessArticle

Quality of Life and Intention to Return among Former Residents of Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture 9 Years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident

by Makiko Orita, Yasuyuki Taira, Hitomi Matsunaga, Masaharu Maeda and Noboru Takamura

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(18), 6625; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186625 - 11 Sep 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3185

Abstract

We evaluated the association between health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) and intent to return home among former residents of Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture 9 years after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident to support the recovery of the community after the accident. We conducted a questionnaire survey asking residents about their intention to return to their original home, risk perception for radiation exposure, HR-QOL using the HR-QOL Short Form 8 (SF-8), and sense of coherence using the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13). Among the 1029 residents, a total of 138 (13%) had already returned to Tomioka (group 1), 223 (22%) were undecided (group 2), and 668 (65%) had decided not to return (group 3). Group 2 had poorer HR-QOL than groups 1 and 3, especially physical function, body pain, general health, social functioning, and mental health. The ratio of residents with a better sense of coherence was significantly higher in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. Our present study indicated poorer HR-QOL among residents who were undecided about returning home. It is necessary to provide a model for a multidisciplinary approach for the public during the recovery phase of a nuclear accident. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Community Resilience and Recovery for Public Health Emergencies)

11 pages, 1026 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Environmental Contamination and Estimated Radiation Exposure Dose Rates among Residents Immediately after Returning Home to Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture

by Masahiko Matsuo, Yasuyuki Taira, Makiko Orita, Yumiko Yamada, Juichi Ide, Shunichi Yamashita and Noboru Takamura

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(9), 1481; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16091481 - 26 Apr 2019

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4563

Abstract

On 1 April 2017, six years have passed since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) accident, and the Japanese government declared that some residents who lived in Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture could return to their homes. We evaluated environmental contamination and radiation exposure dose rates due to artificial radionuclides in the livelihood zone of residents (living space such as housing sites), including a restricted area located within a 10-km radius from the FDNPS, immediately after residents had returned home in Tomioka town. In areas where the evacuation orders had been lifted, the median air dose rates were 0.20 μSv/h indoors and 0.26 μSv/h outdoors, and the radiation exposure dose rate was 1.6 mSv/y. By contrast, in the “difficult-to-return zone,” the median air dose rate was 2.3 μSv/h (20 mSv/y) outdoors. Moreover, the dose-forming artificial radionuclides (radiocesium) in the surface soil were 0.018 μSv/h (0.17 mSv/y) in the evacuation order-lifted areas and 0.73 μSv/h (6.4 mSv/y) in the difficult-to-return zone. These findings indicate that current concentrations of artificial radionuclides in soil samples have been decreasing in the evacuation order-lifted areas of Tomioka town; however, a significant external exposure risk still exists in the difficult-to-return zone. The case of Tomioka town is expected to be the first reconstruction model including the difficult-to-return zone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment of Environmental Radioactivity and Radiation for Human Health Risk)

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