Should Japan Rethink Fukushima Wastewater Releases?

"The radioactive isotope of hydrogen, tritium H-3, cannot be chemically separated from water." Sinikka Virtanen, the chief inspector of the Radiation Protection Agency (Stuk) tells the Helsinki Times. "Tritium is also a naturally occurring radionuclide that is created in the atmosphere. Its half-life is 12.3 years. It is also a by-product of operating nuclear power plants. So if the Fukushima nuclear power plant were still operating normally, it would be releasing tritium anyway. For example, in 2022, 2.2 E+12 Bq of tritium was released from the Olkiluoto units and 1.54 E+13 Bq from the Loviisa units in Finland.

Photo: IAEA

Despite these assurances and comparisons with existing nuclear facilities worldwide, the 2021 release of 8.3 E+14 Bq of tritium stored in the Fukushima reservoir remains a major global concern, not only among the public, but also against scientific arguments. TEPCO Release Plan.

In an article published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists entitled: Why Japan should stop releasing Fukushima nuclear waste water into the seaDr. Tatsujiro Suzukiwrites: “Pacific Island Forum expressed concern in a January 2023 statement on whether current international standards are adequate to deal with the unprecedented release of tritiated water from Fukushima Daiichi. Based on a report based on an independent panel of experts established by the Forum, TEPCO's compliance plan does not appear to have impacts beyond the IAEA General Safety Guide No. 8 (GSG-8) guidelines, which require that the benefits of a given process outweigh the harms to individuals and societies."

Tatsujiro Suzuki is the Vice Director and Professor of the Nuclear Disarmament Research Center at Nagasaki University, Japan. He is the former Vice Chairman of the Japan Atomic Energy Commission and is now a member of the Advisory Board of the Parliamentary Special Committee on Nuclear Energy since June 2017.

He also mentions the opposition of Japan's national fisheries cooperatives to the granting of a discharge: a June 2023 statement Opposing the planned discharge of treated water, Masanobu Sakamoto, head of Japan's National Fisheries Cooperatives, said: "We cannot support the government's position that releasing the ocean is the only solution. ... Whether or not to release the water into the sea is the government's decision, and in that case we want the government to take full responsibility .”

American scientists have also expressed concern that marine life and ocean currents could carry harmful radioactive isotopes - also called radionuclides - across the Pacific Ocean.

"It's a cross-border and intergenerational event," Robert RichmondDirector of the University of Hawaii's Kewalo Marine Laboratory and Scientific Advisor to the Pacific Islands Forum Offloading Plan told National Geographic. "Nothing released into the ocean from Fukushima stays in one place."

The experts also recommended an alternative method in which the treated water is used to make concrete for the construction industry instead of discharging it into the sea. By immobilizing the radionuclides in the material, this option would mean a lower chance of coming into contact with people and would avoid transboundary effects.

International reactions and justifications

Countries including China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and Russia have cited the potential radiation risk in their decisions to restrict Japanese seafood:

  1. China and Hong Kong: Both have expressed clear concerns about radiation, with China banning all water products from Japan and Hong Kong establishing special monitoring teams. These actions may reflect not only security concerns but also geopolitical tensions and an underlying mistrust of Japan's environmental policies.

  1. South Korea: Due to historical reasons and proximity, South Korea's outright ban on Japanese seafood and food products stems from both public opposition and long-standing mistrust exacerbated by the Fukushima incident. The South Korean government's firm stance is likely to resonate with public sentiment against perceived environmental risks.

  1. Malaysia and Thailand: These countries have emphasized the safety of their citizens, echoing a common theme in the region's response: proactive measures against potential health hazards. Malaysia's active sampling of food products for research represents a rigorous, science-based approach to food safety, consistent with broader public health policy.

  1. Russia: Russia's approach, which includes enhanced controls and possible research-based restrictions, reflects its cautious stance on environmental issues and food safety, and reflects a balanced approach between scientific evaluation and public health priorities.

Economic implications and diplomatic implications

The economic consequence of these bans is not insignificant for Japan, a country known for its fishing industry. The bans not only affect trade, but also undermine Japan's reputation as a safe food supplier. Diplomatically, this issue has become a touchstone in Japan's relations with its neighbors, highlighting the delicate balance between environmental responsibility, health security, and international relations.

Open scientific discussion and public opinion

Despite assurances about the relative safety of tritium and compliance with WHO standards, not all experts are convinced of the safety of this publication, especially since there are alternative solutions that are safer and do not endanger nature or people.

There is also a clear connection between expert opinions and general perception. This gap is fueled by historical nuclear accidents, fear of long-term ecological effects and a pervasive skepticism about the handling of nuclear matters. The resulting public opinion and resulting government actions underscore the importance of open and transparent scientific debate, in addition to addressing the fears and anxieties of the general population.

HT


https://nord.news/2023/10/30/should-japan-rethink-fukushima-wastewater-releases/?feed_id=52198

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