Say no to increase in 'safe' levels of radiation for children

Wed 15th Jun 11 — Chris

 Protest march in Tokyo about the Fukashima nuclear accident

Protest about the Fukashima nuclear power accident in Tokyo.

Friends of the Earth Japan want the Japanese government to reverse their decision to increase the level of "safe" radiation exposure to children.

Radiation safety

On April 19 2011, the Japanese Government announced that it was increasing the level of radiation considered "safe" for children in school grounds and buildings to 20 millisieverts per year (mSv/y). This is the dose that doctors believe starts leukaemia in adults. It is also the maximum dose allowed for nuclear power plant workers in Germany.

This is about six times higher than the level allowed internationally in "Radiation Controlled Areas". Japanese labour laws prohibit those under the age of 18 from working under these conditions. Please tell the Japanese Government to reduce the radiation level considered safe for children.

The 20mSv/y standard doesn't take into account the fact children have higher sensitivity to radiation than adults. It also doesn't take into account any other radiation exposure.

Radiation levels in Japanese schools

Currently more than 75 per cent of elementary and middle schools within Fukushima Prefecture have radiation levels comparable to "Radiation Controlled Areas". About 20 per cent of the schools fall have more than three times the levels of "Radiation Controlled Areas" and are extremely dangerous.

Government secrecy on the radiation decision

The Japanese Government have not said how they made the decision to increase the standard. They have not explained why they haven't taken the sensitivity of children into consideration nor any other radiation exposure into account.

We want the Japanese Government to:

  • Withdraw the 20mSv/y safety standard for children.
  • Disclose the names of the experts who decided 20mSv/y was safe for children.

Take action

Please tell Japanese Government to reverse their decision to force 20 mSv/y per year radiation exposure onto children.

Read the update on the Japan earthquake appeal.