UK nuclear experts welcome proposal to amend Japan’s radiation exposure criteria
FCO Chief Scientific Advisor Professor Robin Grimes and Imperial College Professor Gerry Thomas welcome news that Japan may bring safe radiation limits in line with international standards
FCO Chief Scientific Advisor Professor Robin Grimes
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Chief Scientific Advisor Professor Robin Grimes and Imperial College London Professor Gerry Thomas have issued a joint-statement welcoming news of a proposal put forward by Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Commission (NRC) that is expected to see Japan bring safe radiation exposure levels in line with international standards and recommendations by international organisations:
We were pleased to hear about the NRC proposal to amend the radiation dose criteria to enable evacuated residents in the vicinity of Fukushima to return to their homes as soon as they might wish. Studies of the health effects after both the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents, have identified problems such as depression, loneliness and despair as a consequence of being evacuated. Thus, the fear of radiation is itself a significant issue, which may be the greater concern, especially at such low radiation levels.
As the expert IAEA team which visited Fukushima in October 2013, said: ‘Any level of individual radiation dose in the range of 1 to 20 mSv per year is acceptable and in line with the international standards and with the recommendations from the relevant international organisations, such as ICRP, IAEA, UNSCEAR and WHO.