London, Mar 1 : People living near the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan have an increased risk of developing some cancers, according to a report by the World Health Organization.

The report is part of an ongoing assessment by international experts on the fallout from severe damage to the Fukushima Daiichi plant, reports the BBC. In March 2011, a powerful tsunami generated by a magnitude-9.0 earthquake out at sea slammed into the nuclear power plant in north-eastern Japan, damaging four of six reactors at the site.

Around 16,000 people were killed by the impact of the earthquake. A substantial amount of radiation was released into the environment and a 20 km evacuation zone was set up. The report states that the increased risk of developing cancer is limited to communities and some emergency workers exposed to radiation after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

For those living in the rest of Japan there is no health risk, it added. The latest analysis has found that those living in the most contaminated areas around Fukushima are expected to have a small but higher than expected risk of cancer. The biggest lifetime risks were seen in those exposed as infants, compared with children or adults.

Radiation doses from the damaged nuclear power plant are not expected to cause an increase in the incidence of miscarriages, stillbirths or congenital disorders. Dr Maria Neira, WHO director for public health and environment, said that the concern identified in the report is related to specific cancer risks linked to particular locations and demographic factors.

She added that the report underlined the need for long-term health monitoring of those who were at high risk, along with medical follow-up and support. (ANI)