The sea dumping of wastewater from the damaged nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan, has recently begun, sparking reactions and concerns. Although Japanese authorities and international experts say the operation is safe, it raises concerns among Japanese fishermen and neighboring countries.
The spill began on Thursday August 24, with approximately 7,800 m3 of tritium-containing water being discharged into the sea over the next 17 days. This water has been previously treated to get rid of radioactive substances, with the exception of tritium, which only presents a risk if it is present in high concentrations.
Japan plans to discharge more than 1.3 million m3 of wastewater stored at the Fukushima Daiichi plant site into the Pacific Ocean. This is water from rain, groundwater and injections needed to cool the reactors damaged during the 2011 accident.
Precautionary measures have been taken to minimize risks. Releases will be gradual, spanning several years, and the tritium content will be largely diluted, well below international and national standards. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the levels of radioactivity will be negligible for the population and the environment.
However, despite these measures, concerns persist. Japanese fishermen fear this will affect the image of their products, both domestically and abroad. Additionally, China sharply criticized the move and suspended imports of Japanese seafood, citing food safety concerns.
Relations between China and Japan are already tense, and this situation only increases tensions. While Japan defends the safe nature of the operation, China considers it a selfish and irresponsible act, arguing that the ocean is common property that should not be used for the discharge of contaminated water.
It is important to note that the discharge of tritiated water into the sea is a common practice in the nuclear industry globally, and that predicted radioactivity levels at Fukushima Daiichi are lower than those at Chinese nuclear power plants. Despite this, international concerns and reactions highlight the importance of transparency and communication in nuclear waste management.
In conclusion, the dumping of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea causes controversy and concern