Fukushima Nuclear Plant Contaminated Water Release Raises Concerns

Unveiling the Facts Ahead of Contaminated Water Discharge

In an alarming decision, Japan has announced plans to release treated, but still radioactive, water from the melted-down Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. The water, estimated to be over one million tons, equivalent to filling 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools, was used for cooling the reactors after the 2011 tsunami disaster.

Mikamura Ai, clad in a white gown and gloves, was seen cutting fish samples at the Tarachine Research Institute, located about an hour's drive from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on the eastern coast of Japan.

Mikamura, along with other volunteers, collects fish samples from the ocean around the nuclear plant four times a year. Since the establishment of the research institute in the aftermath of the tsunami and subsequent nuclear disaster, they have diligently continued this work.

Mikamura is not a scientist, just as the non-profit institute named "Tarachine," meaning "mother" in an old form of Japanese, is operated by women.

"We still don't know the extent to which the contaminated water has been treated," Mikamura said, explaining the reason for opposing the discharge. She added that many local residents are concerned about the release of the treated water into the ocean.

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is filtering the water to remove more than 60 types of radioactive substances, but it's unlikely that all radioactive materials will be completely removed. Tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, and carbon-14, a radioactive isotope of carbon, are not easily removed from water.

However, experts argue that the radiation levels in this water are extremely low and not a significant risk unless consumed in large quantities. Therefore, the plan is to dilute the treated water with seawater before discharge to reduce the concentration of remaining contaminants.

The Japanese government claims that the treated and tested water will be no different from water discharged by nuclear power plants worldwide.

"The Invisible Enemy"

The specter of the "invisible enemy" – what many associate with radiation – still looms over Fukushima. Amid this fear, efforts to unearth the truth also persist.

Following the disaster, the government established a 30-kilometer exclusion zone around the plant, evacuating over 150,000 residents. While many changes have taken place, the town remains largely deserted, with roofs and windows of abandoned homes covered in vegetation.

Faded shop signs and yellow tape restricting access still mark the narrow and desolate streets.

The Tarachine Research Institute alone reflects the deep-seated fear within the community, contrary to the government's claims. Volunteers in the Tarachine lab were chopping cabbage for gamma ray measurements, while others processed water before inspecting samples. The hallway featured bags of dirt and dust from vacuum cleaners used in nearby homes.

In a room behind, food samples were being dried before radiation checks. Charts and maps showing the radiation levels and the spread of radiation in the ocean and around the nuclear plant adorned the walls.

These volunteers not only collect samples but also analyze data provided by local residents. Mikamura mentioned that some families even brought acorns for inspection, as they use acorn caps to make traditional spinning tops in Japan. She pointed out that the government isn't likely to address such concerns.

The institute measures radioactive substances like strontium-90, tritium, cesium-134, and cesium-137 in all samples, tracking these levels over years. Mikamura noted that they publish all their findings on a website for public access. She highlighted the gradual reduction of radioactive materials in the food samples they measure. She mentioned, "If we release water, we're essentially undoing the natural process that brought these levels down."

Mikamura sees the controversial discharge plan as a setback, emphasizing that emotional wounds from the 2011 disaster are still raw and that this decision exacerbates the pain.

Experts argue that this plan, in its second year of implementation, is an essential step in the long and costly process of decommissioning the plant. Before dismantling the reactors, the melted radioactive debris within them must be removed, necessitating the discharge of the water used for cooling since the plant's paralysis after the 2011 tsunami.

In March, TEPCO's President, Ono Akira, stated in an interview with the Associated Press that they are just beginning to fully understand the damage inside the reactor. He stated that the urgent task is to safely discharge water to clean the plant's vicinity. Additionally, due to the need to cool the melted debris overall, more space for additional water is required.

Pathologist and expert Gary Thomas, who collaborates with Japanese scientists on radiation research and advises the IAEA, believes that the real issue is not the physical impact of radiation but "our fear of it." He noted that immediately after the disaster, science was overshadowed by conflicting opinions among nuclear activists, and the government made significant efforts to demonstrate their commitment to safety, though this effort is often misinterpreted.

"Politicians are trying to prove that they care and think about everyone. But what people are really getting is 'This must be really dangerous,'" Thomas said.

The Long Arm of Fear

Currently, it's becoming evident that overcoming this fear and lack of trust is a challenging task.

The bigger issue involves livelihoods. Fishermen believe that discharging treated water will tarnish the reputation of their catches, causing prices to drop and adding further hardship to their struggling industry. They assert that the local fishing industry in Fukushima hasn't fully recovered since the disaster, relying on government subsidies.

Tokyo Electric Power Company's representative, Yamanka Kazuo, pointed to two tanks holding flounder inside the nuclear plant. One contained ordinary seawater, while the other held the same water set to be released into the ocean, with identical levels of radioactivity. He explained that monitoring fish in these conditions yielded results. When fish initially entered the tank with higher radiation levels, their tritium levels rose but eventually stabilized. When they returned to the regular seawater tank, fish excreted the tritium.

"Because I am a radiation expert, I know the minimal effect of tritium on human and biological bodies. We all fear and worry about radiation in the same way. I hope this data and imagery can help put people's minds at ease," Yamanka said.

However, for Takahashi Toru, who has been involved in fishing for three generations, there's no reassurance. "I am against it (discharge). Negative effects are already appearing. I've seen people saying they won't buy Fukushima products." He explained how the issue directly relates to his livelihood. He supervises staff preparing to lower containers of fish from the boat, wash them, and send them to the market through auctions. He stated he can't afford to give up his business.

He pointed out that the industry hasn't fully rebounded since the disaster struck in 2011. "Even if you include all the small boats, the annual revenue is around 300 million yen (approximately $2.7 million). Before, it was about 700 million yen (approximately $6.3 million)."

He expressed concerns that the situation could worsen if water is discharged, citing import bans from China and South Korea. When asked if sound

 science could dispel these concerns, Yamanka said, "No matter how well you package it, you can't control reputation." Despite this, he added, "I believe our efforts will eventually resolve these controversies."

"We know we've lost people's trust. It will take time to regain," he concluded.