Fukushima update: Hiroshima and Nagasaki bomb experts outline health research needs after Fukushima

Fukushima update: Hiroshima and Nagasaki bomb experts outline health research needs after Fukushima - April 05, 2011

The Radiation Effects Research Foundation was created as a joint US-Japan research centre in 1975 with campuses in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, to study the effects of radiation among the survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bomb blasts. Roy Shore, its chief of research, and Kotaro Ozasa, chief of its epidemiology department, replied by email to my questions about the potential health effects of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, and what research might be needed to monitor these effects.
What sort of health studies could or should be done in Japan to follow any health effects of the radiation release from Fukushima, and to obtain information both of scientific value, and of importance to radiation protection? I'm thinking in terms of such studies as those laid out in the EU Agenda for Research on Chernobyl Health (ARCH) project, although the levels of radiation, and the size of the affected areas following the Fukushima accident, are of course very different.
A follow-up of the workers at the Fukushima plant is the most important in terms of its scientific and radiation-protection value, since they sustained exposure levels far greater than the general population. A second important thing is to assemble a database of harmonized information on exposure levels in different areas within the fallout area. Based on that, one can rationalize which areas may merit population studies with follow-up of individuals or other study designs. Although one cannot prejudge, it is possible that a follow up of the general population in those areas may yield limited information of scientific value owing to the generally low exposure levels, but may nevertheless be very important to provide assurance of safety and to ameliorate public health concerns. With regard to the ARCH plans, parallels to those studies might be considered several years from now, but it is too early for specific planning about most such studies (e.g., most cancers resulting from radiation arise 10 or more years after exposure).
 Much more:
http://blogs.nature.com/news/thegreatbeyond/2011/04/fukushima_update_hiroshima_and.html