China and Japan agreed to extend sampling at nuclear site
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director-general Rafael Grossi has joined scientists from the China, South Korea and Switzerland as they collected seawater samples near the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power station as part of additional measures to increase testing.
The activity is part of the additional measures established after China and Japan agreed to extend the sampling and testing of treated water which Fukushima-Daiichi operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) started to discharge in August 2023.
Grossi said: “This is part of additional measures to facilitate broader participation in monitoring treated water release and independently verify safety.”
The IAEA agreed with Japan in September to implement additional measures to allow the broader participation from other countries in the monitoring of the treated water.
The samples will be analysed by the IAEA laboratories in Monaco, by laboratories in Japan and at the participating laboratories from China, South Korea and Switzerland.
Over 1.3 million tonnes of water – cleansed of all its radioactive material except tritium – is being released into the ocean through an underwater tunnel near the nuclear station, which was destroyed by a 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Tritium levels are thinned down to 1/40 of the concentration allowed by Japanese standards. Japan has said tritium levels in the water will be below those considered safe for drinking under World Health Organisation standards.
The IAEA earlier concluded the plan for “controlled, gradual discharges of the treated water to the sea,” would have a “negligible radiological impact” on people and the environment.
The water was largely used to cool the three damaged reactor cores, which remain highly radioactive. Some of it has since leaked into basements of the reactor buildings but was collected and stored in tanks.
Grossi also inspected vast storage sites holding soil contaminated by the 2011 nuclear disaster and saw how soil is being re-used.
On social media platform X he said: “Got to see firsthand how the removed soil is being put to use, including in a road embankment project for example. Radiation monitoring confirmed its stability and safety – an innovative solution that reflects progress in responsibly managing and recycling removed soil.”
Contaminated soil from the area is being put to use, including in a road embankment project. Radiation monitoring confirmed its stability and safety. Courtesy IAEA.
