Japan has received approval from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to release over a million tons of "treated radioactive water" from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Many local fishing communities and countries like China and South Korea have voiced objections, expressing concerns about potential environmental and health impacts. The IAEA conducted a safety review and concluded that the discharge would have minimal effects on the environment. However, Japanese fishing communities fear that it would undermine their industry and consumer trust. The Japanese government has announced that the water release will begin before the end of the summer. Prior to the release, the water will undergo filtration to remove most radioactive substances, except for tritium. Tritium is considered relatively harmless on the skin, but ingestion can raise cancer risks. China has criticized the IAEA's report and announced enhanced scrutiny and stricter radiation tests on food imports from Japan. In South Korea, there have been protests against Japan's plans, but the country's own evaluation deemed the water release to meet global safety standards.
Sat, 08 Jul 2023 14:34:08 GMT | Hindustan Times