Japan has been granted approval by the United Nations to release its treated radioactive water originating from the unfortunate Fukushima Daiichi nuclear incident of 2011 into the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.
According to a recent report, the International Atomic Energy Agency of the United Nations has meticulously examined the Fukushima cooling water over a span of two years. This voluminous quantity of water, equivalent to an astounding 500 Olympic swimming pools, has been scrutinized to assess its potential impact on both humanity and the environment.
The study unequivocally concludes that if this water were to be gradually released into the ocean, the radiological consequences would be so minimal as to be practically inconsequential.
The controversial decision has drawn plenty of scrutiny over the last couple of years and experts are still debating the risks involved. Environmental activist groups like Greenpeace, have expressed concerns that the nuclear power plant’s proprietor has not taken sufficient measures to completely eliminate radioactive remnants present in the water.
Japanese authorities informed the media that meticulous filtration procedures have been consistently employed to eliminate a substantial majority of radioactive substances from the water. Regrettably, the hydrogen isotope tritium, known for its exceptionally arduous separation from water, remains present.
The Japanese authorities have made a solemn commitment to gradually dilute the water, ensuring that tritium levels remain well below globally recognized thresholds. Moreover, this process will be executed, spanning over a span of three to four decades, exemplifying Japan’s unwavering dedication to addressing any apprehensions with utmost care and thoroughness.
Reference- Reuters, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) website, NBC, Bloomberg, METI website