Earlier, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) already assured that the discharge of the cooling water – about five hundred Olympic swimming pools full – from the Fukushima nuclear power plant is safe and will only have “negligible” consequences for the environment. Yet there is resistance to the Japanese plan, including from local fishermen who fear reputational damage and loss of income. Countries such as South Korea, China and New Zealand are also concerned about possible damage to the environment.
The Fukushima nuclear power plant was damaged as a result of a severe earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. More than twelve years later, the damaged nuclear reactors still need to be cooled with cooling water. More than 1.3 million tons of polluted water is now stored in approximately 1,000 tanks.
Operator Tepco wants water to be diluted and filtered and discharged into the sea because the maximum capacity of the tanks is approaching. The radioactive element tritium cannot be filtered, but according to Tepco and the IAEA there is no danger as the water is diluted and tritium in small quantities is not harmful to humans and the environment.
Experts also point out that nuclear power plants worldwide have been routinely discharging cooling water for many years.
LOOK. Fukushima will discharge radioactive wastewater into the sea
2023-08-22 03:15:19
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