Health risks from exposure in utero are considered in the risk characterization but are
not quantitatively assessed.
For the emergency workers, the assessment considers male workers in age groups of 20-,
40- and 60-year–olds. The exposure assessment is based on dosimetric reports from the
Japanese government and TEPCO.
This report examines a number of cancer and non-cancer health endpoints, on the basis
of the estimated doses. The assessment considers separately specific cancer sites regarded
as being more radiosensitive and with potentially higher risks at younger ages-atexposure
(4) – i.e. leukaemia (5), thyroid cancer (6) and breast cancer (7) – plus all solid
cancers combined. It also covers non-cancer health effects, such as thyroid diseases,
cardiovascular diseases and lens opacities.
This assessment focuses on radiation-related health risks. The psychological impact, recognized
as the largest public health issue after the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident, is
considered and discussed. However, it is not quantitatively assessed as the evaluation of
social and psychosocial hazards and their risks to health requires