The Japanese government is preparing to release treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean, which has sparked controversy and concern. However, Japanese officials, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and independent scientists say the planned release is safe.
The water is being treated with a system called the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), which removes the vast majority of radioactive elements. O tritium, a radioactive element that is difficult to remove from water, will be the main substance present in water to be released and contributes very little to the total radioactivity of the oceans, which is mainly due to potassium.
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Japan has chosen a conservative concentration limit of 1500 Bq per liter for the melting point. release, seven times lower than the limit recommended by the World Health Organization for water drinkable. The release will be done in small quantities over time.
Authorities reinforce that the amount of tritium present in the water to be released is much smaller than that already present in the ocean. All nuclear power plants produce some tritium, which is routinely discharged into the ocean and other waterways.
The Pacific Islands Forum expert panel advised Japan to delay the imminent discharge, but scientists reaffirm that the water is safe for release and that wastewater from Fukushima does not contribute to the possible catastrophe. Experts further assert that the planned release is reasonable and safe based on the type and amount of radioactivity to be released, the amount already present in the ocean and the high level of independent oversight from the IAEA.
The amount of water stored is large, and extended storage increases the risk of accidental uncontrolled release. ALPS technology can be repeated until concentrations are below regulatory limits, but there is no technology to remove traces of tritium from this volume of water.