Fukushima Effects Locally, Regionally and Globally

LOCAL IMPACTS

Many of the people living close to or in the area were diagnosed with cancer due to the accumulation of radioactive isotopes. An example includes Stronium-90 which is a beta-emitting radioactive particle that is metabolized similar to calcium. It is incorporated into the bone where it may cause leukaemia. Those who were not diagnosed with cancer had a high risk of eventually developing it and drugs were supplied to the individuals who lived or worked close to the area at the time of the accident to try and protect them. The drugs were not as effective and the dosage continued to increase. Caesium-137, a radioactive isotope which was released during the nuclear accident, caused solid tumours in organs of individuals that were exposed to it (Rosen, A., 2012).

An increase in suicides occurred, mainly among women, as the livelihood of families were lost when parents and children were assigned to live in different locations (Boardman, W., 2014).

REGIONAL IMPACTS

Minami Soma City was a region that was forced to stay indoors which led to the logistics for the region from outside to be cut off. Residents lost access to supply of food, medicine and gasoline (Passery, S., 2015).

A widespread of negative effects such as population decline and genetic damage in the insects, animals and wildlife of the region. An example would be the pale grass blue butterfly. Exposure to radiation led to the reduction in size of the species and slow growth surrounding the Fukushima Nuclear Plant. (Passery, S., 2015).

Soil contamination occurred. Radioactive isotopes such as Stronium-90 inhibited the soil and inevitably the vegetable and animals. The presence of Stronium-90 in vegetables and milk caused thyroid cancer in many regions where these products were distributed as it behaves similar to normal iodine when ingested and is incorporated into the thyroid gland (Rosen, A., 2012)..

56% of all fish catches of Japan were found to be contaminated with Caesium which causes...