Commentary on Fukushima and Beneficial Effects of Low Radiation1. Issue 4 (1st October 2013) - Cuttler, Jerry M.
Approximately 160, 000 people evacuated the area around the Fukushima Dai-ichi NPP shortly after it was damage by the earthquake and tsunami. The evacuation order applied to 70, 000 of them, while the other 90, 000 left voluntarily and returned soon afterward. After more than two years, most of the 70, 000 are still not allowed to return to their homes. The 1100 disaster-related deaths caused by the evacuation order show that this precautionary action, taken to minimize cancer risks, was not "conservative." In this paper, recent studies are reviewed on the consequences of the radioactive releases and on the benefits of many medical treatments with low doses of radiation that were carried out until the 1950s, before the radiation scare was created. Recent research has shed light on the high rate of spontaneous double-strand breaks in DNA and the adaptive protections in cells, tissues and humans that are up-regulated by low radiation. These defences prevent, repair, remove and replace damage, from all causes including external agents. Cancer mortality is reduced. The ICRP's concept of radiation risk is wrong. It should revert to its 1934 concept, which was a tolerance dose of 0.2 roentgen (r) per day based on more than 35 years of medical experience.