Radioactive Contamination Poses Ongoing Threat to Fukushima’s Water Sources
Introduction:
The problem of radioactive contamination in water sources near the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant persists, as recent investigations have revealed alarming levels of radioactive substances in sea fish. This has surpassed the legal limit by a staggering 180 times. Plans are underway to release the plant’s waste water, containing dangerous substances, into the Pacific Ocean. Despite the operator of the Fukushima nuclear plant assuring that this water has undergone extensive treatment to minimize its environmental impact, many parties, particularly China, Hong Kong, and South Korea, are strongly opposed to this decision.
Affected Water Sources and Environmental Consequences:
In Japan, the issue of chemical contamination in water sources near nuclear power stations, particularly the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station in eastern Japan, remains a significant environmental concern. This area was severely affected by the 2011 tsunami, which caused the cooling system in the factory to fail, resulting in consecutive leaks in three out of six reactors.
In response to this damage, radioactive waste water has been stored in nuclear reactors and fuel waste cooling sites, with an estimated increase of approximately 140 tonnes per day by 2021. As of 2022, around 1.285 million tonnes of radioactive contaminated water are stored in tanks at the Fukushima nuclear power station.
These storage tanks near capacity, the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which operates the Fukushima nuclear power plant, plans to discharge the waste water into the Pacific Ocean. This decision comes as approximately 1,000 power plant tanks are expected to reach their full capacity of 1.3 million cubic meters by early 2024. While there have been no immediate reports of sewage spills from the Fukushima nuclear power station, concerns are prevalent due to previous instances of environmental impacts.
Recent findings by authorities, as reported by The Guardian, have revealed the presence of radioactive substances, specifically cesium-137, in marine fish near the power plant. The levels detected were 180 times higher than the legal limit, further raising concerns regarding the contamination of aquatic life.
International Response and Controversy:
The planned discharge of treated waste water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant has garnered attention and controversy. Although it has been approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of the United Nations, neighboring countries such as China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and some Pacific Island nations have expressed great concern over the potential repercussions of releasing radioactive water into the ocean.
China, for instance, has already begun testing seafood imported from Japan for radioactive substances. Consequently, some wholesalers have halted the import of such products. Hong Kong has also prohibited food imports from 10 governorates in Japan. South Korea and several Pacific Island countries share similar concerns, fearing the widespread impact on marine ecosystems. Despite these objections, the Japanese government and TEPCO maintain that the discharge of waste water is necessary.
Risks of Tritium and Radioactive Fish:
Experts, including scientists and academics, are particularly concerned about the release of waste water containing tritium from the Fukushima nuclear power station. Tritium, a radioactive isotope, remains present even after the water has undergone treatment. While it is challenging for tritium to penetrate human skin, long-term consumption of contaminated water poses a risk of cancer. TEPCO has assured that measures will be taken to minimize environmental impact and conduct regular inspections.
Notably, the level of tritium contamination released into the sea annually is below 22 trillion becquerel, which is the highest level set prior to the tsunami event that triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
It is also crucial to address the impact of radioactive contamination on marine life, especially fish. Fish caught near Fukushima have exhibited elevated levels of radioactive substances, particularly cesium-137. For example, recent TEPCO audits conducted since May 2022 revealed that all 44 fish samples examined contained cesium-137, some reaching levels as high as 18,000 becquerels per kilogram, exceeding the legal limit of 100 becquerels per kilogram. Similar findings were observed for eels and trout.
Cesium-137 exposure, whether direct or through long-term accumulation, poses various risks to human health. Symptoms can range from fever, nausea, and vomiting to more severe effects on the blood, bone marrow, and nervous system. Fatal consequences are possible, depending on the amount of radiation received.
Conclusion:
Although the treated waste water from the Fukushima nuclear power station is claimed to be less radioactive than natural water sources, concerns persist regarding potential long-term effects. As plans proceed to discharge this water into the ocean, the guarantee of fish from Fukushima being free of radioactive contamination remains uncertain. Consequently, the safety of consuming these fish raises significant challenges.
References: Channel News Asia, The Guardian, Greenpeace, The Standard, and Public Relations Department.
Key points:
The problem of radioactive contamination in water sources near the “Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant” can still be seen. The latest investigation found that This sea fish has “radioactive substances” exceeded the legal limit by 180 times. The Fukushima nuclear power plant plans to release waste water contaminated with dangerous substances into the Pacific Ocean . After the failure of the cooling system in the factory caused by the 2011 tsunami, although the operator of the Fukushima nuclear plant has confirmed this waste water leak. It is water that has gone through a thorough treatment process in order not to cause any negative effects on the environment. But there are many parties that disagree, especially China, Hong Kong and South Korea.
The issue of chemical contamination in water sources nearnuclear power station” In Japan, it is a major environmental problem that affects natural water sources. to what life lives in the vicinity, especially “Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station” stateFukushima eastern Japan Affected by the 2011 tsunami until the cooling system in the factory failed. This caused 3 of the 6 reactors to have consecutive leaks.
As a result of the damage, by 2021 radioactive waste water will be stored in nuclear reactors and fuel waste cooling sites. An increase of around 140 tonnes per day, and in 2022, around 1.285 million tonnes of radioactive contaminated water is stored in the tanks ofFukushima nuclear power station
Therefore, when there is a large amount of waste water in the factory which is close to full capacity, causing Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) or Tokyo Electric Power Co., the operator of the Fukushima nuclear power plant, plans to dump the wastewater inthe Pacific
According to Channel News Asia, Japan has announced that it will release such wastewater as early as 2021, as 1,000 power plant tanks are expected to reach full capacity of 1.3 million cubic meters by early 2024. Although no sewage spill from the Fukushima right now. nuclear power station. But in the past, there have been several environmental impact reports. Recently, information from The Guardian says that the authorities have found “radioactive” In the marine fish that live near the power plant. 180 times higher than the law, especially substancescesium-137“
“Fukushima nuclear power plant” and the problem of waste water in the ocean
Although the discharge of waste water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant is TEPCO Expected to be operational in 2024, it will be treated water. and confirm that it is less radioactive than natural water sources But the release of treated water is still a concern for Japan and neighboring countries. Although it has been approved byInternational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of the United Nations
by inChinaHe began testing for radioactive substances from seafood imported from Japan. And some wholesalers have already stopped importing such products from Japan.Hong KongNoted that food imports from 10 governorates in Japan are prohibited.South KoreaaPacific Island countriesSome places express great concern about radioactive water. Because it could affect the marine environment as a whole. But the Japanese government and TEPCO insist that waste water needs to be drained from the plant.
One of the things that many scientists and academics are concerned about is the discharge of waste water. “Fukushima nuclear power station may have”.tritium The radioactive isotopes remain constant after the water has been treated. But if the residues accumulate in the sea in large numbers over a long period of time It will adversely affect the food chain of marine plants and animals.
However, although tritium is difficult to penetrate human skin. But if you regularly drink water contaminated with this substance, there will be a risk of cancer, but the way “TEPCO” It was confirmed that he will act carefully in order to reduce the impact on the environment and carry out regular inspections.
The level of tritium contamination released into the sea each year is below 22 trillion becquerel. (a measure of the content of contaminants in food or drink), which is the highest level that has been set before the impact of the event.tsunami“
Although no treated waste water is discharged fromFukushima nuclear power station But it is still being detected.radioactivefrom nearby natural water sources which ultimately affect aquatic animals
When fishing in Fukushima There is a radioactive substance that is higher than the standard.
One of the most obvious effects of the almost contaminated water problem “Fukushima nuclear power plant” is the fish that Fukushima is contaminated by “radioactive“Incidence higher than the rate prescribed by law. According to the TEPCO audit, which has been inspected since May 2022, all 44 fish were found to be valuable.cesium-137” up to 18,000 becquerels per kilogram which the law states is no more than 100 becquerels per kilogram
In addition, in June 2022, eels were found to contain cesium-137. contaminated up to 1,700 becquerels per kilogram And in April 2023, trout was found to contain cesium-137. contaminated up to 1,200 becquerels per kilogram Including many other fish that have not been examined.
about dangerscesium-137 For starters, if exposed to radioactive substances directly. Symptoms may include fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, loose stools, skin blistering. And if exposed in large quantities, it can affect the blood system, bone marrow, nervous system, with convulsions. until death The effect that occurs will more or less depend on the amount of radiation received. And although it is not exposed directly, if the substance accumulates in the body for a long time, it is equally dangerous.
Although the discharge of treated wastewater from “Fukushima nuclear power station” is confirmed by “TEPCOthat through processes that produce as little contaminants as possible so as not to affect the environment But in the future, if the plant continuously releases such (treated) water into the ocean , There is no guarantee that fish from Fukushima will be free of radioactive. And people may be deprived of food because those fish are definitely too dangerous to eat!
References: Channel News Asia, The Guardian, Greenpeace, The Standard and Public Relations Department.
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