Fukushima Nuclear Plant’s Radioactive Water Release Raises Concerns Over Safety
Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the owner of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, has sparked concerns over safety with its recent release of radioactive water into the sea. Despite facing strong opposition both domestically and internationally, TEPCO began the third release of radioactive water from the damaged plant on November 2.
The release is set to continue until November 20, with approximately 7,800 tons of nuclear-contaminated water expected to be dumped into the sea this time. TEPCO claims that the wastewater being discharged has a limited concentration of radioactive tritium. However, doubts have been raised regarding the credibility of TEPCO’s claim following a radioactive waste sputtering accident that occurred last week.
According to TEPCO, five workers accidentally came into contact with the radioactive fluid while cleaning the pipelines used to detoxify the nuclear-contaminated water on October 25. Two of the workers, after undergoing decontamination treatment, will be kept under medical observation. Although TEPCO stated that a doctor deemed the likelihood of burns due to radiation exposure to be low, the radiation levels in the bodies of the two individuals did not fall below the standard threshold despite initial treatment at the plant.
This accident highlights the ineffectiveness of TEPCO’s Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) for treating the accumulated radioactive water at the Fukushima plant. Furthermore, TEPCO has failed to provide an explanation as to why and how the hose used to drain waste liquid containing radioactive substances became detached while workers were washing the processing facilities with nitric acid.
The Japanese government has insisted that the ALPS system is reliable and that the water obtained after treatment is safe enough to drink. However, questions remain unanswered regarding how such a serious accident could occur from just 100 milliliters of fluid. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the protective measures taken by workers during the incident, as four out of the five individuals who suffered exposure were wearing protective gear and full-face masks.
This accident casts doubt on Japan’s claim that the radioactive water being released into the sea is safe. The risks associated with the disposal process should not be underestimated. It is crucial for the Japanese government to address the public’s concerns and provide further clarity on the safety and effectiveness of the ALPS system.
The release of radioactive water from the Fukushima plant continues to be a topic of international concern. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and risks associated with nuclear power and the importance of transparent communication to ensure public safety.
