title: [Current status on storage, processing and risk communication of medical radioactive waste in Japan].
abstract: Decay-in-storage for radioactive waste including that of nuclear medicine has not been implemented in Japan. Therefore, all medical radioactive waste is collected and stored at the Japan Radioisotope Association Takizawa laboratory, even if the radioactivity has already decayed out. To clarify the current situation between Takizawa village and Takizawa laboratory, we investigated the radiation management status and risk communication activities at the laboratory via a questionnaire and site visiting survey in June 2010. Takizawa laboratory continues to maintain an interactive relationship with local residents. As a result, Takizawa village permitted the acceptance of new medical radioactive waste containing Sr-89 and Y-90. However, the village did not accept any non-medical radioactive waste such as waste from research laboratories. To implement decay-in-storage in Japan, it is important to obtain agreement with all stakeholders. We must continue to exert sincere efforts to acquire the trust of all stakeholders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological Technology, Japan Labour Health and Welfare Organization, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kida
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hiraki
authors.forename: Toshioh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujibuchi
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maehara
authors.forename: Atsuko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsukamoto
authors.forename: Mitsue
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koizumi
authors.forename: Yumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Genki
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Horitsugi
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D007564:Japan; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000379:methods; D011850:Radioactive Waste; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D017744:Medical Waste Disposal; D011850:Radioactive Waste