Psychological impact of nuclear accidents on specific populations / 中国辐射卫生

ABSTRACT

The purpose of establishing nuclear power plants is to meet the growing energy demand. Unfortunately, there have been five major nuclear accidents in history, which have diverse and lasting effects on individuals and society. The well-known health effects are tissue reactions caused by high radiation doses and carcinogenic effects of low radiation doses. In recent years, studies on adult residents, mothers with young children, and clean-up/decontamination workers exposed to high doses of radiation in the areas affected by nuclear power plant accidents show long-term impacts on the mental health of these people. This paper reviews these psychological impacts.