Japan Worried About Health Risks Due to Damaged Nuclear Reactors

Survivors of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan are worried about the possible health risks due to the damaged nuclear reactors. Officials have stated that the health risks are quite low as so far very small amount of radioactivity has been released into the environment. The International Atomic Energy Agency has rated the danger at 4 on a 7-point scale. Though officials have ordered people within 12miles of the Daiichi plant to evacuate the area, about 160 people have been exposed to radiation, though it is still unclear whether any of the cases had reached dangerous levels. Due to the prevailing wind direction the contamination is expected to be blown in the sea.

Radiation damages DNA and can kill cells. DNA damage can cause cancers, like leukemia and cancer of the kidneys and liver. Also depending on the type of radiation that is released, it can linger in the environment for thousands of years. The initial symptoms of radiation poisoning are nausea and vomiting, while exposure to higher radiation can cause diarrhea, headaches and fever. Depending on the level of exposure people might develop symptoms 1-4weeks later, like hair loss, vomiting, disorientation, fatigue, dizziness, infection, poor wound healing and low blood pressure.


Source-Medindia