The Fukushima disaster has resulted in high cancer risks for children living nearby: The WHO estimated a 70 percent increase in the risk that girls residing within 12 miles radius of the epicenter will develop thyroid cancer.
A magnitude-9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami killed nearly 19,000 people after triggering a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in March 2011. Following the radioactive meltdown – the worst since the 1986 Chernobyl power plant disaster – scientists have closely measured the potential long-term impact of the spread of radiation.
An increase in child cancer rates was discovered in the most contaminated areas of Fukushima Prefecture, with young girls in the area at a 70 percent increased risk of contracting thyroid cancer. The standard risk is 0.75 percent, rising to 1.25 in the plant area.
There was a 4 percent increased chance of all solid cancers in females exposed as infants, a 6 percent increased risk of breast cancer in the same group, and around a 7 percent increased risk of leukemia in males exposed as infants. In these areas, a radiation dose of approximately 50 milli-sieverts was measured.
