I thank ICRP for the opportunity to comment on the draft recommendations.
Although I have lived away from Fukushima for 32 years, I’m very concerned about the post-nuclear disaster situation in Fukushima. I grew up in Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture, and still have relatives and friends there. When the nuclear accident occurred 8 years ago, I didn’t think the nuclear contamination was serious because the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Company kept the truth from the Japanese people. However, I learned many facts from the people there about how serious the conditions of the contaminated areas were. In fact, there are still many evacuees from the areas trying to avoid radiation exposure.
I’m also concerned about the atmospheric and soil contamination in the broader, eastern part of Japan. I worry about people’s health conditions living there. I’m very sad, particularly, about the fact that a total of 218 children have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
I hope ICRP will acknowledge 1msv per year for all safety standards and will advise that women (particularly those of childbearing years) and children, at the least, to leave contaminated areas. I hope ICRP complies with the people’s right to health according to the United Nations Human Rights Council declaration.