nuclear-news

Japan to decide on level for lifetime exposure to ionising radiation

The report pointed out effects of radiation exposure on children are more serious than those on adults, 

Govt to cap radiation limit / Report recommends lifetime exposure of no more than 100mSv, The Yomiuri Shimbun, 29 Oct 11, A report by the Cabinet Office’s Food Safety Commission has recommended a person’s cumulative lifetime radiation exposure from food should be limited to about 100 millisieverts.

The report compiled Thursday covers possible effects on health from internal exposure from food containing radioactive substances. Based on the report, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry will begin considering individual regulatory figures for foods.

It is likely the new limits will be stricter than interim limits, hurriedly implemented shortly after the crisis began at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.

The new figures will be set following discussions with the Radiation Council of the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry.

In the commission’s draft compiled in July, the 100 millisievert limit was considered as a lifetime figure for both internal and external exposure to radiation.

But the final report set the limit only on internal exposure, saying effects of external exposure would be minimal in current conditions, based on opinions from the public after making the draft in July.

Presuming a person’s life span is 100 years, the person’s radiation exposure should be less than one millisievert a year.

The current interim limit for radioactive cesium alone is up to five millisieverts a year, making stricter limits a near certainty.

The report pointed out effects of radiation exposure on children are more serious than those on adults, but did not present specific figures for children.

Over whether effects on children will be reflected in the new figures, the commission said it is an issue that should be discussed by the health ministry and other government authorities.

Though the commission’s report will likely toughen regulations on food, it is not easy to erase fears regarding food safety among the public.

Kikuko Murakami, 60, representative of Bonyu-chosa Boshi Shien Network, a citizens’ group that has conducted research on breast milk, said, “High percentages of radioactive substances have been detected in breast milk from mothers living in areas with high radiation levels.

“I don’t understand why the effects of external exposure were separated,” she said. Hideaki Karaki, professor emeritus of the University of Tokyo and an expert on food safety, said, “The report fails to explain how risky the 100 millisieverts figure is in real terms.”

“It’s necessary to make better efforts to help the public easily understand all the risks,” he said….. http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T111028005524.htm

October 29, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | health, Japan