A world where we are already facing climate change, now we have other thing to also tale care about.
According to Japan’s environment minister ” Massive amounts of toxic water from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Japan has to be dumped into the Pacific Ocean because the facility is running out of space “.
Three reactors at the power plant suffered meltdowns in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan. Radioactive water from the damaged reactors has leaked and mixed with groundwater and rainwater from the plant.
The water is treated, but remains slightly toxic and has been stored in large tanks. Nearly 1,000 of them hold more than 1 million tons of water.
Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), the utility company operating the nuclear power plant, said last month it’s running out of space for the radioactive water. The company said it plans to build more tanks, but can accommodate only up to 1.37 million tons, which it will reach in the summer of 2022.
More than eight years after the disaster that because of the lack of space, TEPCO will have to dump the toxic water into the Pacific.
“The only option will be to drain it into the sea and dilute it,” Harada said at a news conference.
Japan last week tried to reassure foreign diplomats about safety at the plant amid concerns, notably about safety, especially as Japan tries to get countries to lift restrictions on food imports from the Fukushima area ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Import restrictions are still in place in 22 countries and regions, including South Korea and China.
Releasing the water into the Pacific is one of six options picked by a government-commissioned panel. Another option includes long-term storage.
