The plaintiffs are suing the operator of the nuclear plant, saying radiation released in the accident caused their illnesses. It is the first group lawsuit filed by Fukushima residents over health problems allegedly linked to the disaster, their lawyers say. An increase in thyroid cancer was found among children following the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine. The Fukushima prefectural government tested 380,000 residents aged 18 or younger at the time of the accident for thyroid cancer. Prefectural officials and experts have said the high level of thyroid cancer found in Fukushima is due to an overdiagnosis, which might have led to unnecessary treatment.

Source: ABC News May 27, 2022 05:10 UTC