Citation

Murakami M. J. Radiat. Res. (Tokyo) 2018; 59(Suppl 2): ii23-ii30.

Affiliation

Department of Health Risk Communication, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, 960-1295, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Japan Radiation Research Society, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/jrr/rrx094

PMID

29420739

Abstract

Risk comparison is essential for effective societal and individual decision-making. After the Fukushima disaster, studies compared radiation and other disaster-related risks to determine the effective prioritizing of measures for response. Evaluating the value of risk comparison information can enable effective risk communication. In this review, the value of risk comparison after the Fukushima disaster for societal and individual decision-making is discussed while clarifying the concept of radiation risk assessment at low doses. The objectives of radiation risk assessment are explained within a regulatory science framework, including the historical adoption of the linear non-threshold theory. An example of risk comparison (i.e. radiation risk versus evacuation-related risk in nursing homes) is used to discuss the prioritization of pre-disaster measures. The effective communication of risk information by authorities is discussed with respect to group-based and face-to-face approaches. Furthermore, future perspectives regarding radiation risk comparisons are discussed.

© The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japan Radiation Research Society and Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology.

Language: en

Keywords

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident; disaster-related risk; risk assessment; risk trade-off