Concentrations of Radiocesium in Local Foods Collected in Kawauchi Village after the Accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station.

Naomi Hayashida,Kanami Nakashima,Shunichi Yamashita,Yuuko Endo,Makiko Orita,Noboru Takamura

doi:10.1038/srep28470

Naomi Hayashida, Kanami Nakashima + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/srep28470

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Abstract

We evaluated the current concentrations of radiocesium in local foods collected in Kawauchi Village, which is located less than 30 km from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, to minimize public anxiety regarding internal radiation exposure through the consumption of locally produced foods after the 2011 Fukushima accident. The number of samples exceeding the regulatory radiocesium limit (100 Bq/kg for general foods) was five out of 4,080 vegetables (0.1%), 652 of 1,986 (32.8%) among edible wild plants and fungi, and eight of 647 (1.2%) in fruits. Our study confirmed that the internal radiation doses of ingesting these foods are acceptably low compared to the public dose limit, ranging from 24.4 to 42.7 μSv for males and from 21.7 to 43.4 μSv for females, although the potential for radiation exposure still exists. Long-term comprehensive follow-up should take place to clarify trends in radiocesium concentrations in local foods and the committed effective doses found in Fukushima-area residents. By constructing a system that allows residents to access information on radiocesium concentration in foods, a risk communication model between specialists and residents could be developed in the recovery phase after the Fukushima accident.

Highlights

We evaluated the radiocesium concentrations in wild fungi collected at Kawauchi Village and found that radiocesium is often detectable[8]
We examined the current concentrations of radiocesium in local food samples collected in the village and evaluated the internal effective doses of local residents
The present study shows that radiocesium exceeding the current regulation value of radionuclides for foods (>100 Bq/kg) was detected in five of 4,080 (0.1%) vegetables and eight of 647 (1.2%) fruits collected in Kawauchi Village

Summary

Introduction

Percentage above the regulatory limit for radiocesium in December 2011 and that radiation doses were found to be at comparatively low levels[5]. Since this declaration, the village office has been working steadily towards reconstruction. One reason that some residents have chosen not to return to the village is anxiety regarding radiation exposure[6], especially the risks of internal exposure through the consumption of locally produced foods[7]. Radiocesium concentrations in other local samples should be evaluated for food safety policy in Fukushima. We examined the current concentrations of radiocesium in local food samples collected in the village and evaluated the internal effective doses of local residents

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Results

Conclusion