October 10, 2013

Oct 10, 2013 | Fukushima Accident Updates

  • Tepco has detected elevated Cesium levels at the barricaded shoreline of F. Daiichi. The reason seems to be some contaminated dirt which was knocked into the water during construction work between the units #1 & 2 intake structures. Soil-solidifying chemicals were being injected into the ground which displaced some of the soil near the waterline. Inside the immediate silt-fence containment, Cesium levels (combined isotopes 134 and 137) were at 1200 Becquerels per liter, up from 90 Bq/liter on Tuesday. Outside the silt fence, combined Cesium levels were at 127 Bq/liter, up from 106 Bq/liter. All remains contained within the barricaded inner port (quay). It is unlikely that the cause is groundwater flow because of its quite low Cesium content – certainly not enough to cause increases of this type over such a short period of time. There has been relatively little coverage in the Japanese Press as of this morning’s posting. http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp-com/release/2013/1231317_5130.html — http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2013101000161
  • Tepco also reports that they have found barely-detectible Cs-137 in one open-sea sample. The activity was 1.4 Bq/liter in a sample taken on Tuesday at one kilometer’s distance. The minimum detection level is 0.72 Bq/liter. A sample taken today shows nothing detectible. No detectible activity was found at any other open-sea location. For some unknown reason, Tepco added that the level is far below the 10 Bq/liter limit for drinking water – but who drinks seawater? Regardless, a few Japanese Press outlets suggest that the recent wastewater leaks have not been contained, contrary to the statements from Tepco and the Prime Minister.  http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp-com/release/2013/1231338_5130.html – http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2013/10/250820.html
  • Contract workers at F. Daiichi caused a spill inside a temporary warehouse. During maintenance of a reverse osmosis desalination system, the contractor removed a piping section from the wrong process line and water gushed out. The spill was stopped inside of an hour by closing isolation valves and replacing the piping section. All eleven workers at the scene were wearing raingear over their full-body protective clothing, but six were later found to be contaminated on their bodies. None had evidence of facial contamination or ingestion of radionuclides. Five of the contaminated people showered, which removed the radioactivity. One other still had some contamination on one foot-sole and has been detained for further treatment. Tepco estimates that seven tons (~1,750 gallons) of pre-treated water escaped to the warehouse floor, but none has left the facility. Tepco says their latest reading of pre-treated wastewater was at 34,000,000 Becquerels per liter of “total radioactivity”. The water entering the desalination system has already undergone Cesium removal. All of Tepco’s updates on the incident can be found here… http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp-com/release/index_ho-e.html  A relatively detailed breakdown of the water’s contained radionuclide levels is on the “follow-up information 3” page. The incident has been widely covered in the Japanese Press, with the to-be-expected exaggerations and worst-case assumptions. Here’s a prime example… http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131009p2a00m0na012000c.html
  • Nuclear Regulation Authority Chairman Shunichi Tanaka says the latest human error incidents are due to low worker morale. He suggested that another part of the problem is because most of the workers at F. Daiichi are contract employees who are not always monitored by plant staff. Shunichi said Tepco must fully commit their management to all aspects of ongoing work to keep morale as high as possible.  http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20131009_39.html
  • The latest research on Fukushima bulls shows no radiation-induced abnormalities. The research focused on the testes of three bulls that were left untended for many months within 20 kilometers of F. Daiichi after the Tokyo-mandated evacuation. Microscopic examination of the bull’s reproductive cells showed nothing unusual and meiosis (sex-cell formation) appeared normal. In the effort to leave no stone unturned, Tohoku University’s Manabu Fukumoto said, “In the future, we want to examine (radiation’s) genetic impact by transplanting fertilized eggs to cows or conducting artificial insemination.” http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131009p2g00m0dm033000c.html
  • Japan and South Korea will co-study the effects of Fukushima leaks on the Pacific Ocean. NRA Chair S. Tanaka made the announcement on Tuesday. The joint investigation is intended to dispel the growing international concerns that F. Daiichi is contaminating the sea. Such rumors led to the current Korean ban on fish from Fukushima and seven other prefectures. Tanaka said the IAERA suggested a joint effort with Korea last month. Tanaka told an extraordinary Diet panel meeting, “We’re preparing to launch a joint probe through the Foreign Ministry. We’re considering ways to invite South Korea and Southeast Asian countries, which are concerned about the effect of the crisis, to participate in the monitoring, with the IAEA serving as a coordinator.” Also at the panel meeting, Industry Minister Toshimitsu Motegi was grilled on his proposal to split Tepco into separate power-supply and nuclear crisis mitigation entities. Motegi made no new comments, saying the suggested change is not binding. When asked about former PM Koizumi’s recent antinuclear turn, Motegi said, “There are a variety of opinions on the issue among members of the public.” http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131008p2a00m0na013000c.html
  • Former PM Junichiro Koizumi’s recent antinuclear turn “shows clear lack of perspective”. So says the headline of the Yomiuri Shimbun’s scathing criticism of Koizumi’s call for a complete end to nuclear energy in Japan. At a recent lecture, the former PM said he believes Japan can establish “recycling society based on natural resources and that does not rely on nuclear power generation.” He feels his vision can be “certainly be worked out by wise people.” However, the Yomiuri calls Koizumi’s statement “overly optimistic and irresponsible”. Koizumi’s belief that no nukes should be operated because there are no approved spent fuel disposal plans in place is also criticized. The Yomiuri says Koizumi-himself is one reason why there is no established disposal site because his administration was in power when prior plans were rejected. http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000707543
  • A Tokyo citizens group says some of Japan’s 2020 Olympic venues have high radiation. The government dismisses the claims. The group’s data was sent to the IOC and its more than 200 member countries in June, but there has been no response. Japan’s national standard is 0.23 microsieverts per hour measured at one meter (~ 3 feet) above the ground. The citizen group says they have found above-standard levels when measured at 2 inches above the ground, with the highest at 0.484 microSv/hr. Group leader Takehiko Tsukushi says, “The central and Tokyo metropolitan governments have not informed athletes and audiences around the world about data concerning possible radiation exposure. I felt it was our moral responsibility as citizens to conduct the measurement and inform people, regardless of whether they support or oppose having the Olympics in Tokyo.” The group’s readings were taken by 92 volunteers using personal radiation monitoring devices. As a result of the independent survey, Tsukushi said, “We believe the data shows that radioactive materials have spread throughout the Kanto region, and that there are some hot spots within that wider area.” Kunikazu Noguchi of Nihon University supports the group’s effort, “There is no doubt that some Olympic venues with higher than normal airborne radiation levels have been contaminated.” The Tokyo metropolitan government insists there is no need for decontamination for isolated cases because none of the areas fall under the established guidelines. The official background radiation source is at the Tokyo Institute for Public Health. Their records show that Tokyo’s radiation levels are the same now as they were before 3/11/11. http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201310080051