Radiation Phobia in Korea Provoked by the Fukushima Accident

Dr. Keon Wook Kang, a professor from the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Seoul National University Hospital, presented a paper titled "Radiation Phobia in Korea Provoked by the Fukushima Accident." He emphasized that the Fukushima nuclear accident has provoked fear of low-dose radiation, even among medical professionals. Some radiologists, who conduct ultrasonography, refused to examine patients who received PET/CT exams on the same day. Despite the estimated dose being well below 1 mSv per year, they declined to treat the patient, citing ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable). This is more of an emotional reaction than a response based on scientific reasoning. Although people often believe that medical doctors are experts in radiation safety, this is not necessarily the case. As such, education on radiation safety should be reinforced in the medical school curriculum. Dr. Kang also addressed the fear surrounding seafood consumption in Korea, triggered by the plan to release treated water from Fukushima. Even though the estimated radiation dose from such seafood is negligible, public trust is undermined, in part, by experts who exaggerate the risk from such trivial doses. Governments, authorities, and radiation safety experts should consistently communicate with the public to debunk the myths and phobias that have been deeply entrenched by decades of media gaslighting