The Reductive Effect of an Anti-pollinosis Mask against Internal Exposure From Radioactive Materials Dispersed From the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster : Health Physics

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The Reductive Effect of an Anti-pollinosis Mask against Internal Exposure From Radioactive Materials Dispersed From the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster

Higaki, Shogo*; Hirota, Masahiro†

Author Information

*Radioisotope Center, The University of Tokyo, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan; †School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

For correspondence contact: Shogo Higaki, Radioisotope Center, The University of Tokyo, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan, or email at [email protected].

(Manuscript accepted 26 June 2012)

Health Physics 104(2):p 227-231, February 2013. | DOI: 10.1097/HP.0b013e318266ad51

Abstract

The reductive effect of an anti-pollinosis mask against internal exposure from radioactive materials dispersed following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster was investigated. A single mask was worn continuously for 18 h from 15:00 JST on 15 March to 09:00 JST on 16 March 2011 at the Hongo campus of the University of Tokyo, Japan. An adult without a mask was exposed during this time to radiation of 6.1 μSv over ambient background in effective dose and 33 μSv in dose equivalent to the thyroid. Radionuclides were dispersed not only in their gaseous and particulate state but also as components that agglomerate to other aerosols and pollens. Wearing a mask for anti-pollinosis could reduce internal exposure from inhalation.

©2013Health Physics Society

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