Radioactivity release from the Fukushima accident and its consequences: A review

•Radioactivity release into the environment by the Fukushima accident is reviewed.•Radioactivity distribution in Japan and around the world is reviewed.•Impacts of the accident on public health, economy and energy policy are described.

The Fukushima accident in March 2011 caused by the massive earthquake and tsunami led to hydrogen explosion, core meltdown, and the subsequent release of huge radioactivity both into the atmosphere and the Pacific Ocean. In the case of volatile fission products such as 137Cs and 131I, the release fraction of the core inventory of the units 1–3 into the atmosphere is estimated to be 1.2–6.6% and 1.1–7.9%, respectively. As for gaseous fission product 133Xe, it is estimated that nearly 100% of the core inventory might have been released into the atmosphere. In addition, about 16% of the 137Cs inventory flowed into the sea when the contaminated water used for cooling the decay heat of the units 1–3 overflowed the reactors. Therefore, even though almost three years have passed since the accident, it is still having a tremendous impact not only on Japan but all over the world as well.This paper reviews the Fukushima accident from the viewpoint of radioactivity release and dispersion in the environment and its effect on public health, economy, energy policy, international relationship, and LWR fuel development.