Reduction in live births in Japan nine months after the Fukushima nuclear accident: An observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

After the Chernobyl accident on 26 April 1986, a drop in birth-rate was found in several European countries in the first quarter of 1987. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether a similar drop in live births occurred in Japan after the Fukushima nuclear accident.

Data and methods

A study region was defined consisting of Fukushima prefecture plus 10 nearby prefectures. The observed monthly numbers of live births (LB) in October 2011 through December 2012 were compared with the predicted numbers determined from the trend of live births in the remaining months from January 2006 through December 2018. The study region was divided into Fukushima plus three adjacent prefectures (Area A, assumed effective mean dose in the first year 1 mSv) and seven

SUBMITTER: Korblein A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7906319 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature