Abstract
On 11 March 2011, Japan experienced a massive earthquake and tsunami that triggered the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, resulting in the release of large amounts of cesium-134 and -137 into the atmosphere. In addition to the food radioactivity control in the markets throughout the country, radiocesium concentrations in locally grown foods were voluntarily inspected and the results were shown to the residents by the local government to raise their awareness of the internal radiation contamination risk from low knowledge in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. In this longitudinal study, local food products for in-home consumption were evaluated by seven different food radioactivity measuring devices in Nihonmatsu City from 2011–2017. Radiocesium was detected in local foods in Nihonmatsu City even six years after the FDNPP accident. The highest number of products tested was in 2012, with the number steadily decreasing thereafter. Most foods had contamination levels that were within the provisional regulation limits. As edible wild plants and mushrooms continue to possess high radiocesium concentrations, new trends in radioactivity in foods like seeds were discovered. This study highlights that the increased risk of radiation exposure could possibly be due to declining radiation awareness among citizens and food distributors. We recommend the continuation of food monitoring procedures at various points in the food processing line under the responsibility of the government to raise awareness for the reduction of future risks of internal exposure.
Highlights
The present study investigated radiocesium concentrations in home-grown foods to determine the risk of internal radiation exposure to residents of Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, and to raise their awareness of the risk associated with low knowledge in radiation contamination
The present study evaluated local food products in Nihonmatsu City of Fukushima Prefecture over six years to raise awareness of internal contamination risk
The contamination levels of most foods were within the provisional regulation limits, monitoring the radioactivity within local food products has importance
Summary
In this longitudinal study from November 2011 to December 2017, radiocesium levels in agricultural products, such as vegetables, grains, and fruits were measured using food radioactivity measuring devices installed at Nihonmatsu City Hall, city branch offices, and resident centers. These food samples were voluntarily brought in by the residents of Nihonmatsu City, for their home consumption. The products inspected at the locations strictly prohibited measuring products which were intended for sale or for restaurant use [20]. Food products were inspected at 18 different locations across the city by trained municipal staff Owing to the emergency situation, samples were collected on a case-by-case basis at the beginning of the survey period, rather than in a systematic manner.
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