Scientists allay fears over nuclear power(2)

"Inner fears are a larger threat to health than an actual nuclear accident," said Chen Zhuzhou, an expert in nuclear and environmental safety at China's Ministry of Environmental Protection. [Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn]

But there have been no following reports on anyone directly dying from the radiations, said Chen. Chen admitted that the disaster might have increased, later on, the chances of developing cancer for those who were less exposed to radiations.

The IAEA's initial reports on Fukushima Daiichi's nuclear accident said that the data showed little significance compared with that of Chernobyl and that there has been no report on deaths linked to radiation leakages, according to Chen. However, there were deaths caused by mental stress.

Scientists agreed that properly organized and calm evacuations remain the best ways in case of nuclear accidents. They all warn of irrational behaviors, including hoarding iodine salt as seen in most Chinese cities, shortly after the Fukushima Daiichi accident.

But the fact is that a leakage of I-131 (radioactive iodine) only occurs when the nuclear reactor is affected. In such a situation, people should take iodine tablets to fill up their thyroids with iodine, in order to prevent I-131 from entering their bodies.

"While in other cases, taking excessive iodine pills will result in iodine poisoning," said Chai Guohan, Chief Engineer of the Ministry of Environmental Protection's Radiation Safety Center, adding that there were people who were taking "the lifetime amount of iodine", amid fears after the Fukushima Daiichi accident.

Chai also pointed out that iodized salt only contains a minimal amount of iodine, meaning that to reach the dose of one iodine tablet, a person has to take several kilograms of salt.