Fukushima nuclear accident
The Fukushima nuclear accident was a major nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Ōkuma, Fukushima, Japan which began on March 11, 2011. The proximate cause of the accident was the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which resulted in electrical grid failure and damaged nearly all of the power plant's backup energy sources. The subsequent inability to sufficiently cool reactors after shutdown compromised containment and resulted in the release of radioactive contaminants into the surrounding environment. The accident was rated seven (the maximum severity) on the INES by NISA, following a report by the JNES (Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization).
| Part of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami | |
The four damaged reactor buildings (from left: Units 4, 3, 2, and 1) on 16 March 2011. Hydrogen-air explosions in Units 1, 3, and 4 caused structural damage. | |
| Date | 11 March 2011 |
|---|---|
| Location | Ōkuma and Futaba, Fukushima, Japan |
| Coordinates | 37°25′17″N 141°1′57″E |
| Outcome | INES Level 7 (major accident) |
| Deaths | 1 suspected from radiation (lung cancer, 4 years later), and up to 2,202 from evacuation-related stress among the elderly. |
| Non-fatal injuries | 6 with cancer or leukemia, 16 with physical injuries due to hydrogen explosions. 2 workers hospitalized with radiation burns |
| Displaced | +164,000 local residents |
No adverse health effects among Fukushima residents or power station workers have been documented that are directly attributable to radiation exposure from the accident, according to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation.: 106 Insurance compensation was paid for one death from lung cancer, but this does not prove a causal relationship between radiation and the cancer. 6 other persons have been reported as having developed cancer or leukemia. 2 workers were hospitalized because of radiation burns, and several other people sustained physical injuries as a consequence of the accident. Criticisms have been made about the public perception of radiological hazards resulting from accidents and the implementation of evacuations (similar to the Chernobyl nuclear accident), as they were accused of causing more harm than they prevented. Following the accident, at least 164,000 residents of the surrounding area were permanently or temporarily displaced (either voluntarily or by evacuation order). This response resulted in at least 51 fatalities, with more in following estimates, mainly attributed to subsequent stress or fear of radiological hazards, among older people for the most part.
Investigations faulted lapses in safety and oversight, namely failures in risk assessment and evacuation planning. Controversy surrounds the disposal of treated wastewater once used to cool the reactor, resulting in numerous protests in neighboring countries.