Dr. Tsubokura's Radiation Lecture Vol.119

Author: Masaharu Tsubokura M.D., PhD.

Editors: Akihiko Ozaki M.D., PhD., Yuki Senoo

237. Radiation screening study shows no pregnant women in Minamisoma were affected by nuclear accident

　After the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster, various investigations and measures were conducted to reduce radiation exposure. Here, I would like to introduce some of the results from these investigations, which have been published in academic papers.

　Since 2012, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital has offered an on-request screening program for internal radiation exposure to pregnant women in the city. Women’s concerns about radiation exposure understandably increase during pregnancy. The late Dr. Toruhei Takahashi, the chair of the Minamisoma City Medical Association, initiated the screening program.

　Over the past few years, we have evaluated approximately 600 pregnant women in Minamisoma city repeatedly in a certain period of time and have never detected radioactive cesium in any of them. This situation has persisted even though the fewer people today avoid food products produced in Fukushima Prefecture.