- There is no radioactive Cesium in the bodies of Fukushima children. An “extensive study” used the new, highly-sensitive “Babyscan” technology, developed following the nuke accident. Babyscan can sense as low as 50 Becquerels of contamination per child, and is 5-6 times more sensitive than the whole body counters used for adults. Researchers from the University of Tokyo and other institutions performed the study at three hospitals: Hirata Central and Minamisoma Municipal General Hospitals in Fukushima Prefecture, plus Tokiwakai Hospital in Aomori. Interestingly, 96% of the parents said they did not avoid Fukushima-produced foods and water. Thus, the study indicates that the results were the same for those children who did and did not consume possibly contaminated food and water. One researcher said, “Our study has confirmed that there is a low risk of internal exposure even among children who eat food produced in Fukushima Prefecture.” The report also said that if the children had slightly less-than-detectible Cesium in them, their annual exposure level would be no more than 16 microsieverts; more than 60 times less than Japan’s ridiculously low goal of 1 millisievert (1000 µSv) per annum. Researcher Masaharu Tsubokura said it is disappointing that results like this have not reduced parental anxieties. He lamented, “There are people who want us to continue the examinations and reserve a place where they can consult about them. And, there are many people who say they can’t eat produce grown in Fukushima.” Thus, the study will continue. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/10/09/national/science-health/extensive-radiation-study-finds-no-internal-cesium-exposure-fukushima-children/#.VhfZLpDosdV — http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20151009p2a00m0na025000c.html
- Tepco prepares to start freezing the F. Daiichi “ice wall”. When asked about the status of the wall, Plant Manager Akira Ono said, “In the last half-year we have made significant progress in water treatment,” adding that the frozen wall “should be able to resolve the contaminated water issues before the Olympic Games.” Tepco says the ground surrounding the three inland sides of the four damaged units should be frozen by the end of the year. This should drop the basement’s in-seepage of groundwater from 300 tons per day down to 100. American consulting expert Dale Klein says, “It is a very important issue for the public, and good water management is needed for Tepco to restore the public’s trust.” Unfortunately, the Press report includes a contrasting view by former DOE official Lake Barrett, “Some of these areas may have different freezing and sealing capabilities. These types of problems were encountered when Tepco tried and failed to seal the seawater trenches by freezing.” Barrett fails to consider that the installed ice wall has literally nothing to do with the trenches on the sea-side of the complex. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/10/10/national/tepco-expects-begin-freezing-ice-wall-fukushima-no-1-year-end/#.VhkkVZDosdX (Comment – It should be noted that when the ice wall is fully frozen and the impermeable sea wall just off-shore are completed, it is estimated that the assumed outflow of groundwater to the sea will drop to somewhere between 1/15 and 1/40 of the current notion.)
- Dozens of local governments demand more money from Tepco. Seventeen prefectures and seven cities have filed claims totaling more than $1 billion USD. This is in addition to the payouts for personal and property compensation of more than $45 billion already given to Tokyo-mandated evacuees. All prefectures in the Tohoku (Northeastern Honshu Island) and Kanto (Tokyo-area) regions have filed, plus the western prefectures of Mie and Shimane. Tepco has agreed to pay more than $300 million for revenue losses with public businesses including water and sewage treatment, radiation tests on school meals and agricultural products, and the cost of collection and storage of radioactive rural debris. However, Tepco has balked at requests to compensate for loss of tax revenues caused by residents that have fled the prefectures and cities due to radiation fears. A Tepco official said, “We are paying local governments compensation in amounts that fall within a necessary and logical range based on interim guidelines set by the Dispute Reconciliation Committee for Nuclear Damage Compensation.” But, the local governments want more. http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20151012p2a00m0na006000c.html
- Japan’s Press continues its ignorance concerning radiation. In a Mainichi Shimbun article about Tepco examining an exhaust duct’s supporting poles says the radiation level near the duct “…was actually 25 sieverts per hour – a level guaranteed to be fatal.” (Emphasis added) This caters to a false notion in Japan that when someone enters a large exposure area, that person will immediately swoon and die. This only happens in science fiction stories/movies. Actually, a person would have to remain in such an area for several minutes before experiencing subsequent fatigue and nausea, but would probably recover. Someone would have to be there at least 15 minutes to have a 90% chance of dying of Acute Radiation Syndrome some days later. Japan’s Press needs to do its homework concerning radiation exposure instead of merely reinforcing false paradigms. http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20151010p2a00m0na007000c.html
- The issue with releasing purified groundwater to the sea continues. Many Japanese experts now agree with international authorities who say releasing the 700,000 tons of stored, purified waters at F. Daiichi containing biologically-innocuous Tritium is not a problem. Prof. Ichiro Yamamoto of Nagoya University says, “The release standards are far stricter than those set by experts, taking into consideration the effects of radiation on the human body. I don’t think there will be any effect on fish and shellfish, either.” But, because the purified waters still contain biologically innocuous radioactive Tritium, local fisheries refuse to let Tepco do the right thing and discharge all the water into the ocean. This costs Tepco a lot of money, and the price tag increases every day. Prof. Jota Kanda of Tokyo University School of Marine Science and Technology said, “To lower the level of [Tritium] radioactivity to be near that of the groundwater, the processed water must be thinned down, at huge cost, or stored over an extended period that could span over dozens of years.” http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002463580
- Ehime Prefecture’s assembly approves the restart of Ikata unit #3. After discussing the several petitions submitted concerning the resumption, the assembly voted to agree with those supporting restart. Next, they passed a resolution Ikata unit #3 operations is necessary. Having met with Industry Minister Motoo Hayashi, Ikata Mayor Kazuhiko Yamashita will visit Ehime Governor Tokihiro Nakamura to voice his agreement with the assembly decision. The governor will next meet with the minister before he voices his opinion. The Yahatahama City and Ikata Town have already approved the restart, but the rest within 30 km are waiting to hear what the governor decides. http://www.jaif.or.jp/en/ehime-prefectural-assembly-agrees-to-restarting-ikata-3-with-governor-to-make-final-decision-soon/
- Takahama units 3&4 pass their government safety screenings. The Nuclear Regulation Authority announced completion of its safety system inspections on Friday. The NRA is currently running “pre-use” observations for unit #3, and the same will begin for unit #4 in the near future. http://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2015100900647
- The court case barring Takahama 3&4 restarts continues. Before Takahama 3&4 can operate, a Fukui court injunction barring restart must be repealed. The district court has barred restart, in agreement with a request by 9 residents of the prefecture (pop. 803,000). Station owner Kansai Electric Co. wants the injunction be nullified due to bias and irresponsible action on the part of the presiding judge. To date, there have been three hearings on the Kansai request under the jurisdiction of a different judge. A fourth hearing will be held on November 13th. Unless the injunction is annulled, the Takahama units will remain idled. http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/nuclear.html
- In an article critical of nuke restarts, an interesting fact emerges. News media polls indicate that a majority of Japanese oppose nuclear energy. However, the long-term weaning of Japan off nukes is far more popular than either immediate elimination or continued reliance. Thus, “…most people support the use of nuclear power for the time being.” However, when asked if they support restarts, the majority says “No!” This reveals a nation-wide contradiction. The report says the problem is PM Shinzo Abe’s addressment of the issue, which nippon.com says is confusing and shows a lack of willingness to “shoulder responsibility”. This convoluted rationale doesn’t address the obvious – the public is confused. http://www.nippon.com/en/currents/d00196/
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