Controlled Release of Radioactive Water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant: Should We Be Concerned?

Authors

Awadhesh N. Jha, School of Biological and Marine Sciences
Maria F. Ferreira, School of Biological and Marine Sciences
Andrew Turner, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

ORCID

• Awadhesh N. Jha: 0000-0001-9660-4308
• Maria F. Ferreira: 0000-0001-8824-5392
• Andrew Turner: 0000-0003-0505-4561

Abstract

Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011, the decision to release more than 1 million tons of radioactive water into the ocean by the Japanese government, with approval from the IAEA, has divided public and scientific opinion. The discharge began on August 24, 2023, with the premise that, after removal of long-lived radionuclides (i.e., 137Cs and 90Sr), tritium (3H), the primary remaining radionuclide as tritiated water (HTO), will be sufficiently and safely diluted over a 30-year period. (1) Concerns, however, relate to (a) the safety of seafood and its consumers and (b) potential long-term consequences on human and environmental health.

DOI

10.1021/acs.est.3c08702

Publication Date

2024-03-19

Publication Title

Environmental Science and Technology

Volume

58

Issue

11

ISSN

0013-936X

Keywords

tritium (H), Fukushima Daiichi, environmental impact, human health, radioactive water, Water Pollutants, Radioactive, Fukushima Nuclear Accident, Japan, Cesium Radioisotopes/analysis, Nuclear Power Plants, Delayed-Action Preparations, Radiation Monitoring

First Page

4840

Last Page

4843

Recommended Citation

Jha, A., Ferreira, M., & Turner, A. (2024) 'Controlled Release of Radioactive Water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant: Should We Be Concerned?', Environmental Science and Technology, 58(11), pp. 4840-4843. Available at: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08702