Japan to Dump Radioactive Water From Fukushima Plant into Ocean

Japan is planning to release millions of gallons of treated radioactive water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean according to Kyodo News.

Since a massive tsunami in 2011 destroyed Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactors, more than one million tons of contaminated water have been collected with about 170 tons of new radioactive wastewater being processed per day. But storage tanks for the wastewater are reaching their limits.

The release of treated radioactive wastewater would start in 2022 at the earliest, according to Japanese news outlets, as the 1,000 steel tanks storing the water is expected to run out of room by 2022.

Last year, Japan’s environment minister said that the only way to deal with the wastewater was to “release it into the ocean and dilute it.” Some scientists Support the idea that the wastewater would quickly be diluted by the large Pacific Ocean.

However, environmental groups and fisheries have voiced concern about dumping wastewater, even if the water is treated. They say the release of the water could still hurt marine life and force consumers to avoid fish from the region.

UN human rights experts also opposed releasing the radioactive water into the ocean due to concerns it could drift into the coastline of neighboring countries and enter the food chain.

“We are deeply concerned by reports that the Government of Japan has accelerated its timeline for the release of radioactive wastewater into the ocean without time or opportunity for meaningful consultations,” the experts said.

South Korea, which still bans all seafood imports from the Fukushima area, is urging Japanese officials to find a better way to dispose of the water without risking the environment or human health.

In April, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a report that it will work with Japan “to develop a framework to provide radiation safety assistance before, during and after the disposition” once the government decides how to proceed.

Japan’s industry minister Hiroshi Kajiyama said no decision has been made yet but the government has planned to decide soon in order “to prevent any delays in the decommissioning process.”