Japan has received approval from the United Nations' nuclear watchdog to release treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear disaster into the ocean. This decision comes after years of planning, as there were limited options for containing the contaminated material. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) delivered the UN body's safety review to Japan's Prime Minister. However, there is some skepticism and concern from neighboring countries and local fishermen who still feel the effects of the 2011 disaster. The process of releasing the water will take decades and involves filtering out isotopes, leaving only tritium, before diluting it to falling below regulatory limits. Tritium is relatively harmless but can raise cancer risks if ingested in large quantities. There are concerns about the potential impact on marine life and the ocean ecosystem, and some experts argue that treating the ocean as a "dumping ground" would worsen existing challenges such as climate change and pollution.
Thu, 06 Jul 2023 02:30:50 GMT | News18