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Information for Australians in Japan
This Bulletin is current for Wednesday, 16 March 2011.
The Bulletin was issued on Wednesday, 16 March 2011, 22:26:09, EST.
Advice on exposure to radiation arising from nuclear incidents in Japan
The Department of Health and Ageing and Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) has issued the following advice on exposure to radiation arising from nuclear incidents in Japan, based on information from Japanese authorities:
The recent earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on Friday 11 March has caused major damage to a number of nuclear reactors on the east coast of Japan. The Japanese Government has established an evacuation zone around the affected reactors.
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) has been closely monitoring the situation, in particular the potential exposure to radiation of Australians in Japan.
Based on advice from the Japanese government and the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) reports that, although unlikely, there is a small chance of exposure to radiation, at very low levels, for people who were in the Fukushima area and for people who were in the Fukushima area or areas affected by radioactive releases since 12 March 2011. The health effects from exposure at these low levels are considered very low to negligible.
For those Australians in Japan but outside the affected areas, based on current information, ARPANSA advises that since the winds are presently blowing off shore from the Fukushima area they are extremely unlikely to be contaminated and the health risks are negligible. As the situation develops, all Australians in Japan are strongly encouraged to continue to follow the protective measures recommended by the Japanese Government.
Given the very low risk of exposure, ARPANSA advises that people should have no physical symptoms. If there is any doubt about contamination this contamination is easily removed by washing your body and clothes.
Australians returning home from Japan are highly unlikely to be contaminated or exposed to significant radiation and will not require checks for radioactivity. However, if people wish to seek medical advice they should contact their local GP.
Meetings are being held with GP representatives, the Department of Health and Ageing, and ARPANSA to discuss the provision of consistent advice to those who present with inquiries about radiation exposure.
Discussions are ongoing between jurisdictions. Further information will be provided as the situation develops.
Advice to Australians remaining in Japan
Current Situation
The recent earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on Friday 11 March has damaged a number of nuclear reactors on the east coast of Japan. The Japanese Government has imposed evacuation zones and shelter in place zones around affected reactors in Fukushima prefecture. These protective action zones may be revised by the Japanese government as circumstances change. ARPANSA will update its advice as events develop.
What do I do?
Australians remaining in Japan should follow any protective measures recommended by the Japanese government. This may include evacuation or shelter in place orders.
Australians remaining in Japan should not travel to the exclusion zones.
ARPANSA and the Chief Medical Officer advise that iodine prophylaxis is only required when exposed to substantial radiation doses. It is not considered necessary for Australians remaining outside protective action zones.
What are the symptoms of radiation exposure?
Radiation health effects are related to the magnitude and duration of exposure. Low level radiation exposure produces no physical symptoms. There is no specific test available for low level exposure and no treatment is required.
Australians in Japan may find www.mofa.go.jp/ an helpful English language website with local information.
Advice to Australians returning from Japan who have concerns about possible exposure to radiation
Current Situation
The recent earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on Friday 11 March has damaged a number of nuclear reactors on the east coast of Japan. The Japanese Government has established evacuation zones around the affected reactors in Fukushima prefecture. The Japanese government is providing regular updates on required exclusion zones.
Based on advice from the Japanese government the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) reports that, although unlikely, there is a small chance of exposure to radiation, at very low levels, for people who were in the Fukushima area or areas affected by radioactive releases since 12 March 2011.
The health effects from exposure at these low levels are considered very low to negligible.
If you were in Japan, but outside these areas ARPANSA advises that you are extremely unlikely to have been exposed to even low levels of radiation.
What to do if you are worried?
The Japanese government have been screening people where they believe this is necessary. Residual contamination from low levels of exposure is readily removed by showering, washing your body, hair and clothes.
For very low levels of radiation exposure there is no specific test available and no treatment is required. However, if on return to Australia you and your family are concerned you should visit your local GP and let them know where in Japan you were.
What are the symptoms of radiation exposure?
Given the low levels of possible exposure no physical symptoms of radiation exposure are expected to be observed.
Again, if on your return you feel unwell, you should visit your local GP.
Current as at 2200 hrs (AEDST) on 16 March 2011. This information will be updated every six hours or more frequently as required.
Other information
Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant
There have been three explosions at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Okumacho in Fukushima Prefecture. On 12 March 2011, Japanese authorities applied a 20 kilometre evacuation zone around the facility. Following a third explosion on 15 March 2011, the Japanese authorities announced that residents within 20-30 kilometres of the facility should remain indoors, keep windows and doors closed and not use ventilation. Australians should not travel to the area surrounding the affected power plant. Australians within the 20 kilometre evacuation zone should follow instructions of the authorities and evacuate immediately.
Advice on exposure to radiation arising from nuclear incidents in Japan is on the ARPANSA website.
Miyagi Prefecture
Australians are advised not to travel to Miyagi Prefecture (including Sendai) due to the ongoing relief and recovery operation and severe damage caused to key infrastructure (power, telephone and water) caused by the earthquake and tsunami.
Australians in Miyagi Prefecture should leave if they have no reason to remain.
Telephone and communications services have also been severely disrupted throughout the affected area as a result of damaged infrastructure. JR trains and road networks are heavily affected throughout the tsunami and earthquake affected area.
The most heavily affected areas are also without essential services and there are reports of shortages of food and water.
Chiba, Fukushima, Aomori, Iwate and Ibaraki Prefectures
You should reconsider your need to travel to the Chiba, Fukushima, Aomori, Iwate and Ibaraki Prefectures and surrounding districts until further notice due to the disruption to essential services caused by the earthquake. Australians in these areas, particularly tourists and short-term visitors, should firstly follow local authorities’ advice and carefully consider their ongoing need to remain.
Nagano and Niigata Prefectures
You should reconsider your need to travel to Nagano and Niigata Prefectures due to the threat of further earthquakes and the risk of avalanches.
Tokyo and surrounding earthquake-affected districts: You should also reconsider your need to travel to Tokyo and surrounding earthquake-affected districts due to the risk of unpredictable disruptions to essential services such as transport and electric power. There are reports of shortages of supplies to retail outlets in the region. This includes the deliberate shutdown of some train links and power services by Japanese authorities seeking to divert electricity elsewhere. Information on power cuts is available on the Tokyo Electric Power Company website.
Because of continuing disruptions to transport, communications, power and other infrastructure, school closures and continuing aftershocks, Australians in Tokyo and affected Prefectures, who do not have a need to be there, should consider departure. It is for the same reasons that the Australian Government is authorising the voluntary departure of dependants of Australian officials from Tokyo.
Disruption to essential services: On 13 March 2011, Japanese officials announced a program of rolling power cuts that will affect other parts of Japan. These power cuts will commence in Tokyo on 14 March and are likely to affect a range of services such as railways and communications networks, and may include parts of the country not affected by the earthquake and tsunami.
Authorities have blocked the main freeways to north east Honshu due to the damage in these areas. Please note weather condition as some of these Prefectures still have snow.
Narita Airport has re-opened, although flights to and from the Airport are experiencing disruptions. Train services to the Airport will be subject to intermittent disruption due to rolling electricity cuts aimed at conserving power. These cuts will affect many parts of Japan. On 14 March 2011, train services to Narita airport have been cancelled. Other rail services are likely to be affected. You should expect lengthy delays if travelling to Narita airport by road. You should allow sufficient travel time to make your scheduled flight. Sendai, Yamagata and Hanamaki airports in Tohoku (northern) region remain closed. Amami and Kikajima airports in Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyushu are also closed. Haneda Airport in Tokyo is running some flights. Osaka Airport is operational.
You should check with your airline or travel agent for the latest information on flights.
Travel to parts of Japan unaffected by the tsunami and earthquake: Australians considering non-essential travel in parts of Japan unaffected by the earthquake and tsunami should carefully consider their need to undertake such travel at this time due to the disruption to transport hubs in and around Tokyo. You should also consider the disruption from rolling power cuts on your travel plans in Japan.
Australians in the affected areas should monitor local news and radio and follow the advice of local authorities in the first instance. Radio stations in the Tokyo area that have emergency information in English include the US Armed Forces station at 810AM and InterFM (76.1FM).
If you are in Japan and require assistance, you can contact the Australian Embassy in Tokyo on 03 5232 4111 and you will be transferred to the Crisis Centre.
If concerned about friends and relatives: If you are concerned about Australians in Japan you should in the first instance try to contact them directly. If this is unsuccessful, you can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (within Australia).
This bulletin should be read in conjunction with our travel advice for Japan. |
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