November 16, 2015

Nov 16, 2015 | Fukushima Accident Updates

  • No Fukushima Cesium has been detected at Ucluelet, British Columbia, since May. The first traces of Fukushima accident-related Cesium were detected at Ucluelet on May 7th, but none has appeared since. Fukushima InFORM speculates the disappearance of the radioactive Cesium along the shoreline is due to estuarine fresh waters flowing over top of the denser salt waters. In addition, radioisotopic concentrations for various fish have been posted by InFORM along the coast from Nass River to Victoria. Species include Steelhead Trout and Chinook, Sockeye, & Coho salmons. All Cesium-137 levels were below 0.3 Becquerels per kilogram, with most having less than 0.1 Bq/kg. There was no detectible Cs-134 in any of the fish, thus the traces were not from Fukushima. Cs-134 is the indicator isotope for distinguishing Fukushima Cesium from post-WWII bomb-testing Cesium. Interestingly, the naturally-occurring concentrations of radioactive Potassium-40 varied between 134-168 Bq/kg! Potassium and Cesium have the same chemical properties…they are both generally recognized as “muscle seekers”. Both Cs-137 and K-40 are Beta and Gamma radiation emitters. Cs-137’s Beta is 60% weaker than K-40’s, and Cs-137’s Gamma is 50% weaker then K-40’s. http://fukushimainform.ca/
  • Japan’s largest newspaper says F. Daiichi’s new impermeable wall should revive the Fukushima fish industry. The wall was completed October 26th, dropping the assumed contaminated groundwater outflow to 10 tons per day. By Nov. 5, inner port (quay) waters had shown a considerable drop in isotopic concentrations. The Yomiuri Shimbun (Japan News) says “Concentration levels of radioactive substances in the sea outside the port area have now fallen to within the government-set standards for acceptable drinking water. At spots close to the port revetment [wall], concentration levels of all kinds of radioactive substances have also been falling markedly since the completion of the impermeable wall. These developments will probably be conducive to helping reinvigorate the local fisheries industry, which has been afflicted with harmful rumors.” But, the Yomiuri admits that the local fisheries are not as optimistic. The Yomiuri thus calls for Tepco and Tokyo to spread information on the wall’s closure, and its positive impact, “both at home and abroad”. The newspaper also addresses the constant build-up of purified waste waters, saying, “It is considered realistic to drain the purified water into the sea just as other nuclear-related facilities have been doing so.” http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002566237
  • 59 Fukushima communities have filed for nearly $450 million in municipal compensation, but only about $50 million has been paid. The largest claim, $160 million, is from Futaba, co-host to F. Daiichi station. The next three are Koriyama ($58 million), Fukushima City (nearly $50 million), and Iwaki City ($29 million). The municipalities claim the evacuations greatly reduced their populations, causing tax revenues to drop dramatically. The communities feel Tepco is dragging its feet on their demands. The town of Tomioka is anticipating repopulation, but the lag in compensation payments is making it difficult. Its Press release says, “We are working on rebuilding local facilities ahead of residents’ return. But the money is not being paid and we are struggling to secure revenue.” Some municipalities are filing with Tokyo for alternative dispute resolution. But, most are waiting to see how the ADR process works because it was set up to address individual claims, and for those filed by municipalities. http://www.fukushimaminponews.com/news.html?id=592
  • Most residents near Sendai station have iodine pills. Two Sendai units are in full operation. Potassium Iodide helps to prevent the thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive Iodine from a nuclear accident. However, Tokyo doesn’t want them given to people who have not been informed of the medication’s possible side effects. On Sunday, about 100 people attended a local distribution event, were advised by doctors, and got their KI pills. To date, about 3,000 of the 4,350 who live within 5km of Sendai station have received the KI. Local officials say some residents are hesitant to get their pills because they are confused on their use. http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/nuclear.html
  • The nuke plant emergency control room deadline is extended. As an anti-terrorism measure, the Nuclear Regulation Authority mandated the installation of back-up control rooms in 2013. The NRA initially wanted all potentially restarted nukes to have them completed in 2018. This deadline has been modified to allow a time limit of up to five years after restart (for idled units) or construction (for new units). The emergency operating facilities are intended to be used if terrorists take over the main control room. The back-up controls are intended to maintain reactor fuel cooling functions. The facility must be located at least 100 meters from the main control room. Only five units at three stations have filed plans for the back-up canters. The NRA says this is probably because the utilities are focusing on meeting the new safety requirements for restarts. The new deadline means the two recently-restarted Sendai units have until 2020 to complete their back-up facilities, instead of 2018. http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20151113p2a00m0na008000c.html