Fukushima Infants Facing Higher Risk of Cancer, WHO

The World Health Organization has issued a report stating that infants who were in the Japanese region most affected by radiation after the 2011 tsunami are more susceptible of getting cancer.

Among the infants, the 168-page health report points, baby girls stand at a significantly higher risk – about 70 percent for thyroid cancer.

Still according to the report, male infants exposed at the highest level – between 12 and 25 millisieverts – stand with a 7 percent relative risk increase in the lifetime risk of leukemia, while female infants have about a 6 percent increase in the lifetime risk of breast cancer.

The tsunami was caused by a magnitude 9 earthquake which occurred at 14:46 JST (05:46 UTC) on 11 March 2011 with the epicenter approximately 43 miles east of the Oshika Peninsula of Tōhoku and the hypocenter at an underwater depth of approximately 20 miles. The tsunami caused nuclear accidents, primarily the level 7 meltdowns at three reactors in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant complex, and the associated evacuation zones affecting hundreds of thousands of residents. Many electrical generators were taken down, and at least three nuclear reactors suffered explosions due to hydrogen gas that had built up within their outer containment buildings after cooling system failure.

According to the WHO report, exposures to radiation varied. In two areas of Fukushima prefecture, doses ranged from 12 to 25 millisieverts, while in much of the rest of the area, they were between 3 and 5.

The data, broken down by age, sex, and proximity to the nuclear plant, "show a higher cancer risk for those located in the most contaminated parts," according to Dr. Maria Neira, director of the agency's department of public health and the environment.

But outside those regions, she said in a statement, "no observable increases in cancer incidence are expected."

A journal report in 2011 suggested the U.S. had already suffered an excess of 14,000 deaths, possibly linked to the damaged Daichi plant.

About one in three emergency workers who were involved in the wake of the disaster are also thought to have increased cancer risks, the WHO report said.

"The risk among emergency workers would be increased for thyroid cancer particularly, and some circulatory disorders," Neira told reporters.