The Fukushima N-wastewater controversy

The Fukushima N-wastewater controversy

Subject :Science and technology

Section: Nuclear Technology

Introduction

• On April 13, 2021, Japan announced plans to release over one million tonnes of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea over the next 30 years.
• This wastewater is a result of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that disabled the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, releasing radioactive materials.
• The decision has sparked global opposition over health risks, particularly in seafood-dependent regions.

Treatment Process

• Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is responsible for treating the water.
• The treatment process involves multiple techniques, with the most notable being the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS).
• ALPS is designed to remove 62 types of radioactive materials, leaving the water significantly cleaner.
• However, the ALPS process does not effectively remove tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen.

Safety Concerns

• Tritium Risk: Tritium, primarily in the form of tritiated water, is readily absorbed by living organisms and rapidly distributed throughout their bodies via the bloodstream.
  • This includes potential developmental effects in babies when pregnant women ingest it, as it can cross the placenta.
• Bioaccumulation: Tritium can bioaccumulate in aquatic life and terrestrial plants, potentially affecting entire food chains.
• Ionizing Radiation: Tritium emits low-energy beta radiation, which, when ingested or inhaled, can expose internal tissues to radiation, increasing cancer risk.
• Genetic Damage: Prolonged exposure to tritium may cause genetic mutations and cell damage.
• Long Half-life: Tritium has a half-life of about 12.3 years, which means it remains radioactive for an extended period, potentially impacting ecosystems over time. (As tritium decays, it changes to helium)

Difference between tritiated water and water with Tritiate: