The importance of providing medium to long-term individual responses to radiation risk perception in areas affected by radiation disasters

Radiation disasters cause direct radiation exposure and a variety of health issues, such as stress from evacuation life and prejudices based on incorrect perceptions of radiation. How the anxiety and risk perception of radiation exposure among residents living in the affected areas have changed is not well known. This study focuses on internal radiation exposure in infants and young children and parental radiation risk perception in Minamisoma City, which was impacted by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident. The study employs BABYSCAN data from July 2014 to November 2023. During the study period, 3936 infants underwent BABYSCAN testing, with no internal exposure to Cs 134 or Cs 137 detected in any of the participants. Surveys and counselling on food and water choices indicated a decrease in concerns about radiation contamination; however, anxiety about radiation among residents persisted. Additionally, there were concerns about the health effects related to the release of treated water from the FDNPP in 2023. The decline in participation rates in BABYSCAN and decreasing interest in radiation highlight the need for ongoing long-term risk communication and continued education for residents after radiation disasters.