Tokyo CNN —Japan will begin releasing treated radioactive water from Fukushima into the ocean as early as Thursday, officials announced on Tuesday, following months of heightened public anxiety and pushback from many neighboring countries.
Since then, new water has been pumped in to cool fuel debris in the reactors, while ground and rainwater have leaked in, creating more radioactive wastewater.
The real issue is a hydrogen isotope called radioactive tritium, which cannot be taken away.
Many other countries, including the United States, regularly release treated wastewater containing small amounts of tritium from their nuclear plants.
One expert, who helped Pacific Island nations review and assess the wastewater release plan, told CNN it was “ill-advised” and premature.
Persons:
Fumio Kishida, hasn’t, Kishida, “, ”
Organizations:
Tokyo CNN —, United Nations ’ International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Tokyo Electric Power Company, Authorities, TEPCO, CNN
Locations:
Tokyo CNN — Japan, Fukushima, China, South Korea, Japan, United States