Introduction and Overview

Abstract

The adverse effect of radiation on human health, especially cancer induction, is a major concern, especially after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP) accident. We have learned the consequences of radiation for human health through radiological tragedies and nuclear disasters. Archival materials on Thorotrast patients have enabled us to perform molecular pathological analysis, in order to elucidate the carcinogenic mechanism of internal radiation exposure. Radiation-induced cancer is not merely attributed to resulting genetic mutations, but is in fact a complex consequence of the biological response to radiation and ingested radionuclides. Therefore, the FNPP accident prompted us to launch “A comprehensive dose evaluation project on animals affected by the FNPP accident” to establish an archive system composed of samples and data from animals around FNPP. Using those archived samples, we have been able to report some achieved results. The final goal of this archive system is to enable research that will contribute to the common understanding of the radioprotection of the ecosystem as well as humans. In reality, however, it is becoming difficult to continue this project, due to reduced research spending at academic institutions and the weathering memory for the accident of people.