UN Committee worried about radiation in Fukushima

November 14, 2012

UN OKs continued analysis of Fukushima radiation

      http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20121114_26.html

The UN General Assembly has endorsed continued research into the effects of radiation exposure from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis.

An assembly panel unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing the research by a UN scientific committee on Tuesday.

The resolution expressed concern over potential harmful effects of radiation and called for a report on the findings by next fall.

The resolution came after the panel, meeting in New York, heard a report by the chairman of the Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, Wolfgang Weiss. He was speaking via video link from Vienna.

Weiss said preliminary analysis has found no health effects among some 20,000 people studied, including workers at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

But Weiss said continued research is needed because 170 people have received radiation doses above 100 millisieverts, the threshold for increased risks of cancer.

Representatives of the European Union and other members told the meeting they want to show solidarity with those affected by the crisis in Japan.

The UN set up the scientific committee in the 1950s to study radiation exposure from fallout of nuclear tests.

Since May last year, the committee has analyzed data provided by the Japanese government on plant workers and others who were exposed to radiation.