IAEA says Fukushima nuclear wastewater release to comply with international safety standards
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Task Force says the Japanese Nuclear Regulation Authority is committed to keeping to international safety standards when Fukushima nuclear plant releases wastewater into the Pacific Ocean.
Water from the defunct Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant could be released into the Pacific Ocean as early as spring or summer, according to the latest plans from the Japanese Government.
The plans to release the 1.3 million tonnes of treated radioactive nuclear wastewater, which has accumulated at the plant following the 2011 tsunami, has sparked controversy, with critics stating risks have not been fully studied.
International bodies have raised several fears including those surrounding the impact of radiation from the released wastewater. The head of the Pacific Island Forum, which includes Australia, New Zealand and other island nations, expressed concern about the effect on the livelihoods of people in the region, and urged Japan to delay the release of water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant over fears fisheries will be contaminated.
“The Fukushima Daiichi aqueous radioactive discharges appear to be tightly controlled and are independently scrutinised. The safety standards issued by the IAEA are aimed at ensuring the protection of the public and the environment against radiation risks.
The Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which owns the power station, says it is running out of space to store the water, and has said Alps, its water treatment technology, can remove all radioactive materials from water except tritium, which it says is harmless in small amounts.
Last week, Gustavo Caruso, Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Task Force that is assessing the safety of Japan's plan to release treated radioactive water, said that the Japanese regulators have shown their commitment to comply with international safety standards. Caruso said his team visited the plant and witnessed the first in a series of planned inspections run by the Japanese nuclear regulation authority, to check the planned discharge complies with international standards.
Speaking about the news, Richard Hibbert, Chair of the Nuclear Special Interest Group, said: “The Fukushima Daiichi aqueous radioactive discharges appear to be tightly controlled and are independently scrutinised. The safety standards issued by the IAEA are aimed at ensuring the protection of the public and the environment against radiation risks. These standards are reflected in national laws that are enforced in Japan by the Japanese Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA). In addition, the Japanese authorities have requested support from the IAEA.”
"These standards are reflected in national laws that are enforced in Japan by the Japanese Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA). In addition, the Japanese authorities have requested support from the IAEA.”
Several standards exist to help manage the nuclear sector. The International Standards Organization is currently developing ISO 24389-1 Management of radioactive waste from nuclear facilities — Part 1: General principles, objectives and practical approaches.
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