Dr. Tsubokura's Radiation Lecture Vol.50

Author: Masaharu Tsubokura

Editors: Akihiko Ozaki M.D., Yuki Senoo

99. The calculated level of radiation exposure is overestimated

Various international organizations have published reports regarding the levels of radiation exposure and the radiation-induced health effects caused by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident.

The report published by the United Nations in 2013 assessed the levels of radiation exposure more accurately than the report by the World Health Organization, taking various kinds of data into account. However, the United Nations’ calculation results still overestimated potential radiation exposure when considering what was actually observed in Fukushima Prefecture.

In particular, the estimates of internal radiation exposure by the United Nations were a few times higher than the actual levels of thyroidal radiation exposure in March 2011. Furthermore, it was also reported that the level of internal exposure measured by whole-body counters was much lower than the estimated value reported by the United Nations.