Despite the negative press, the human health effects from radiation at Fukushima have been proven to be nil.
So is it justified to label Fukushima a disaster? Perhaps the breach in the radiation levels as based on a dose-response relationship known as the linear non threshold (LNT) model is, for all intents and purposes a model which, with continued use has the potential to continue to create irrational fears about radiation.
The currently used model suggests that no radiation exposure is the only safe level. Experience tells us this is not true – indeed at low levels, radiation, such as sunlight, is known to have a positive effect on human health. Perhaps the expense at which compliance is enforced can do with being put into perspective to avoid over-reacting.
Sources:
May 2013 – World Nuclear News
The most extensive international report to date has concluded that the only observable health effects from the Fukushima accident stem from the stresses of evacuation and unwarranted fear of radiation.
“On the whole, the exposure of the Japanese population was low, or very low, leading to correspondingly low risks of health effects in later life” – Wolfgang Weiss (UNSCEAR)
March 2013 Time Magazine: Bryan Walsh
Meltdown: Despite the Fear, the health risks from the Fukushima Accident are Minimal
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) report (PDF) on the estimated health effects from the Fukushima nuclear with link to report.
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