THE TAIWAN RADIATION INCIDENT: 400 mSv OVER 9-20 YEARS
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This comprehensive review examines the unique case of chronic radiation exposure in Taiwan, where residents lived in buildings constructed with rebar contaminated with Cobalt-60 (Co-60). Between 1982 and 1984, more than 90 buildings in northern Taiwan were constructed with contaminated rebar, affecting over 1,000 apartments. Residents of these apartments received an average cumulative dose of 400 mSv over a period of 9 to 20 years. Despite the significant dose, no acute radiation effects were observed among the exposed population. The case is notable because initial epidemiological studies suggested a decrease in cancer mortality among exposed residents, while subsequent analysis revealed an increased risk of leukemia and a trend toward increased breast cancer. This case remains the subject of scientific debate regarding radiation hormesis and the effects of chronic low-dose exposure. This review provides a detailed analysis of the incident, including its discovery in 1992, dose reconstruction methodology using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs), epidemiological findings, and implications for radiation protection. The paper synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed literature, official reports, and scientific debates to provide a complete picture of this unique case
Author: Jorbenadze, Mikheil
Language: English
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7214534372