More than 100 youngsters in Japan diagnosed with thyroid cancer after Fukushima nuclear meltdown
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The plant north of Tokyo spewed out radioactive material
in the tsunami.
Joseph Mangano, of the Radiation and Public Health Project, said the
expected number of this type of cancer would be seven of the area’s
300,000 youngsters.
He said: “The rising number of thyroid cancer cases in Fukushima area children exposed to the meltdown
is disturbing.
“The 104 cases either confirmed or very likely to be confirmed is far
greater than the expected number of seven for a population of children
that size over a three year period.
Disaster: Nuclear power plant No. 6 reactor building in Fukushima
“Thyroid cancer is only one of the many diseases whose risk increases
after a meltdown, and researchers must conduct studies, both in Japan
and other affected nations.”
Fukushima was the world’s second worst nuclear disaster after Chernobyl.
Radiation biology professor Yoshio Hosoi added “Many people are being
diagnosed with cancer at this time, thanks to the high-precision tests.
“We must continue closely examining the people’s health in order to
determine the impact of radiation exposure on causing thyroid tumours.”