January 28, 2013

Jan 28, 2013 | Fukushima Accident Updates

  • As part of the proposed anti-terrorism regulations, the Nuclear Regulatory Authority wants stringent nuclear plant worker background checks similar to the United States. This will include a criminal record investigation, debt history, and the past record of alcoholism and/or drug dependence. Any of these could make an applicant susceptible to terrorist recruitment. Such checks have been routine in America and Europe for more than a decade, but Japan has been reluctant to follow due to the issue of privacy invasion. The International Atomic Energy Agency has recommended such checks since 1999. Currently, all a nuclear applicant needs in Japan is a driver’s license or equivalent forms of identification. While the Fukushima accident spawned counter-terrorism concerns, the recent Algerian hostage crisis where 10 Japanese citizens were killed has heightened the issue. (Yomiuri Shimbun)
  • None of the residents of Fukushima Prefecture have been exposed to radiation levels that would cause thyroid gland damage. The National Institute of Radiological Sciences released the report on Sunday. Their data is much lower than the IAEA’s 50 millisievert threshold for the administration of Iodine medication to block excessive Thyroid doses. The study focused on the 12 municipalities surrounding Fukushima Daiichi. The highest exposures were in Iwake City, Futaba Town and Iitate Village, but everyone’s levels were below 50 mSv. 1-year-old children screened for thyroid Iodine-131 have had less than 30 millisieverts exposure. The records of approximately 1,000 infants who have had thyroid examinations since the accident show no excessive thyroid exposure. (Kyodo News Service; NHK World)
  • The NRA says one of the geologic anomalies running under the Tsuruga nuclear station probably qualifies as an active seismic fault. A draft report issued today says it’s likely that the seam under unit #2 has moved in the last 130,000 years. However, the report keeps the door open for a reversal of the decision, “If new knowledge is obtained, the judgment could be reviewed. However, at least at this point, the fault at the plant site is highly likely an active fault that needs to be considered in terms of seismic design.” The NRA believes the seam under the unit #2 connects to the nearby active Urazoko fault, which means it is likely they would move together. NRA commissioner Kunihiko Shimazaki said the report will be checked by other outside experts before it is finalized. Japan Atomic Power, owner of the nuke station, says the conclusion is drawn on inconclusive evidence and lacks scientific support. Unit #1 at Tsuruga is more than 40 years old, which is greater than Japan’s proposed limit on operation and may not be allowed to restart, regardless. (Japan Times)
  • A new lawsuit has been proposed against the government and Tepco by 500 Fukushima Prefecture residents. The citizens claim the stresses caused by health concerns and public discrimination warrants their legal action. The plaintiffs want $2,500 each for mental distress and $800 per month for children and pregnant women until the Fukushima Daiichi station is fully decommissioned. The majority of the claimants are from Iwake City and other communities that are outside the evacuation zones. Voluntary evacuees from outside the mandated evacuation zones who are under the age of 18 or are pregnant women have already been compensated about $7,200. The lawsuit, to be filed March 11, calls for additional damage judgments. (Mainichi Shimbun)