Radiological studies in Fukushima from drinking water to wild boar

Radiological studies in Fukushima from drinking water to wild boar.

Presented by:Donovan, Anderson, PhD

Time: 1pm AEST

PRESENTER BIO

Dr. Donovan Anderson is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Japan. Originally from Colorado, USA, he has been living and conducting research in Japan for the past six years. His expertise lies in radioecology, low-dose radiation effects, and biological dosimetry. Over the past three years, his work has increasingly focused on radiation biology, particularly on assessing the effects—or lack thereof—of low-dose and low dose rate exposure to ionizing radiation in wildlife within the Fukushima region. In addition to his ecological studies, Dr. Anderson is actively involved in the development of new approaches in biological dosimetry. He has been a member of the Health Physics Society in the United States since 2016.

ABSTRACT

More than a decade has passed since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, which resulted in the release of significant quantities of radionuclides into the environment. Since then, the Japanese government, in collaboration with private companies, has made substantial progress in decontaminating affected areas, reducing ambient dose rates to levels within public safety limits. Notably, the area designated as the "Difficult-to-Return Zone" has been reducing due to these efforts.
This talk highlights recent radiological assessments in two key aspects: environmental impacts on wildlife and radionuclide concentrations in drinking water. Ongoing studies on wild boar and other species aim to assess the biological effects of chronic, low-dose, and low-dose-rate radiation exposure. Meanwhile, surveys of tap and groundwater have been conducted to assess potential risks associated with the discharge of ALPS-treated water from the FDNPP.
Findings to date suggest that biological effects in wildlife are minimal at current exposure levels. Moreover, naturally occurring radionuclides (e.g., radon) contribute more to internal radiation doses from drinking groundwater than any residual artificial radionuclides released. Radiocesium was not detected in any drinking water samples, while radon concentrations were occasionally elevated. These results indicate that the ALPS discharge has not led to increased radionuclide levels in drinking water.