The 8.9 Earthquake and the following tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, 2011, has left Japan devastated. The people of Japan's health is at risk due to the contaminated waters, polluted airs, the nuclear plants, and more. There are immediate health concerns, secondary effects, and long- lasting health effects that are affecting Japan. After the rescue of survivors, clean water, food, and shelter are primary public health issues. Due to the tsunami and the earthquake, physical injuries, such as broken bones and head injuries, have afflicted the people of Japan. Also contributing to the people's distress and taking a toll on their health is the lack of healthcare and medical care as well as contaminated waters and widespread debris.
Another very serious health issue in Japan has to do with the nuclear reactors and the increasing exposure to radiation. At the moment, only the workers are affected by the radiation. The Japanese Health Ministry raised the legal limit of radiation exposure to 250 millisieverts a year to enable the 50 or so workers efforts to bring the nuclear power plant back under control. The workers are currently struggling to cool overheating nuclear reactors, exposing themselves to the radiation. The radiation causes both stochastic and non-stochastic health effects, which could include cancer, changes in DNA, mutations, burns, and other sicknesses depending on how exposed they are.
The earthquake and tsunami have hurt the people of Japan physically and emotionally. The destruction has left the people vulnerable to health risks.Hopefully, Japan will be back on its feet with the help of other countries soon.
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