The Fukushima Nuclear Water Release: Should You Be Worried?
- David Zhu
- May 28, 2021
- 2 min read
Background:
At 2:46 pm on March 11, 2011, the Great East Earthquake of Japan began. The earthquake had a
magnitude of 9.0, one of the strongest earthquakes possible, and its epicenter was around 130 kilometers east of the eastern coast of Japan’s mainland. Even from this distance, the earthquake was able to cause considerable damage to cities on the east coast of Japan; however, the tsunami that followed it was to be much deadlier and destructive.
Although the initial earthquake was destructive, the reactors and backup generators at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant survived the seismic waves. Soon after the earthquake blew over, workers at the power plant shut down the reactors. Unfortunately for them, they did not remember that the shaking of water makes waves. Afterward, the tsunami arrived on the east coast of Japan, bringing massive destruction and more than 19,500 casualties. At the power plant, backup generators were destroyed. The reactors remained undamaged for a while, but without the backup generators, the cooling systems failed, and the reactors melted down.
What’s happening now?
In the years ensuing the Fukushima disaster, water was used to cool down the damaged reactors and clean up the dangerous leaks. The contaminated water has been stored in large tanks after being used, but estimates say that storage for the water will run out by late 2022.
On April 12, 2021, Japan announced that in two years, they will begin releasing accumulated water from the treatment of the Fukushima reactors into the Pacific Ocean. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga insisted that this action was the “most realistic” method of decommissioning the power plant and helping Fukushima recover. Many are opposing this course of action, including China, South Korea, and the fishing industry around Fukushima. The United States, on the other hand, has largely supported Japan’s decision, praising them for their “transparency.”
Should we be worried?
Water used to cool the Fukushima reactors is treated with a process known as ALPS (Advanced Liquid Processing system). This removes most radioactive isotopes from the contaminated
water, including cesium-137. This does not, however, remove tritium, a slightly radioactive
isotope of hydrogen that, according to most experts, is not dangerous to humans in small amounts. The Tokyo Electric Power Company reported that it would dilute the wastewater so that the tritium concentrations are far below regulated levels. It also emphasized transparency by allowing third parties to spectate the processes.
For now, the most probable future consequences of the disposal do not seem to be environmental. One consequence will be damage to the Japanese fishing industries’ reputation; fishermen worry that consumers are less likely to purchase seafood from the area due to fears of the released water. Public opinion of nuclear energy will also be damaged, further agitating fears of nuclear power safety. During today’s climate crisis, it is imperative we use any sustainable energy sources we can get. Unfortunately, the Fukushima disaster has just put another one out of order.
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