{"id":6688,"date":"2023-08-25T18:39:30","date_gmt":"2023-08-25T09:39:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jaif.or.jp\/en\/?p=6688"},"modified":"2023-08-25T18:45:48","modified_gmt":"2023-08-25T09:45:48","slug":"start-of-offshore-release-of-alps-treated-water-by-tepco-at-fukushima-daiichi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jaif.or.jp\/en\/news\/6688","title":{"rendered":"Start of Offshore Release of ALPS-Treated Water by TEPCO at Fukushima Daiichi"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>To steadily carry out the decommissioning work at the nuclear power plants (NPPs) and realize Fukushima\u2019s reconstruction, the handling of the water cannot be postponed. The start of offshore release represents a major step forward in Fukushima Daiichi\u2019s decommissioning. I would like to express my appreciation and respect for the understanding and efforts of everyone involved in the matter.<\/p>\n<p>ALPS-treated water has been purified of radioactive substances other than tritium<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_6688_1('footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_1');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_6688_1('footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_1');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_6688_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_6688_1_1\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Tritium is an isotope of hydrogen created in the natural environment. It is contained in rainwater, tap water and the atmosphere. It emits radiation so weak that it cannot penetrate a sheet of paper.<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_6688_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_6688_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>to levels below regulatory standards<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_6688_1('footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_2');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_6688_1('footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_2');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_6688_1_2\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_6688_1_2\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Regulatory limit: Regulated values of radioactive concentrations in water and air released from facilities are regulatory limits. When multiple radioactive substances are emitted, the regulatory&nbsp;&#x2026; <span class=\"footnote_tooltip_continue\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_6688_1('footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_2');\">Continue reading<\/span><\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_6688_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_6688_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>. It is then to be diluted with seawater by a ratio of more than 100 to 1, to a level of 1,500 Bq\/l, one-fortieth the regulatory limit of 60,000 Bq\/l, before being released into the sea.<\/p>\n<p>Levels of radiation will be sufficiently low that no effects on people or the environment will be recognized. The volumes of water released annually will be regulated to represent less than 22 trillion Bq, the same level as the control value for operations prior to the accident in 2011.<\/p>\n<p>The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has recognized that offshore release is both scientifically sound and aligned with international practices. The IAEA\u2019s comprehensive report on its safety review of the ALPS-treated water, released in July 2023, made the following conclusions:<\/p>\n<p>1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The activities and approach to offshore release of the ALPS-treated water taken by TEPCO, the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) and the Japanese government are consistent with the relevant international safety standards.<\/p>\n<p>2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The levels of radiation effects on people and the environment of the offshore release of the ALPS-treated water as planned by TEPCO, based on a comprehensive evaluation, will be negligible.<\/p>\n<p>The IAEA has also committed itself to supporting Japan prior, during and after release of the ALPs-treated water, for the purpose of providing additional transparency and reassurance to the international community, and will continue to conduct additional reviews and monitoring. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi also said that the IAEA would establish an office within the premises of Fukushima Daiichi, where its own staff would be continuously stationed during and after the release of the water into the sea.<\/p>\n<p>Tritium is routinely generated during power generation at NPPs and is discharged as part of normal operations. For example, the Pickering NPPs in Canada currently release 21 times as much tritium into the environment as the 22 trillion Bq set as Fukushima Daiichi\u2019s operational target value for annual total discharge. Meanwhile, the Yangjiang NPPs in China currently discharge five times as much tritium as Fukushima Daiichi does, while the Kori NPPs in South Korea discharge twice as much. It goes without saying that every NPP carries out such discharge after a thorough review and in compliance with the respective country\u2019s safety standards<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_6688_1('footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_3');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_6688_1('footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_3');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_6688_1_3\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_6688_1_3\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Source of tritium amounts released at NPPs in other countries: Material on the handling of ALPS-treated water, prepared by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE), can be found at this&nbsp;&#x2026; <span class=\"footnote_tooltip_continue\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_6688_1('footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_3');\">Continue reading<\/span><\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_6688_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_6688_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>.We urge TEPCO to operate the facilities safely and appropriately for offshore release and monitoring, and to provide information transparently toward the prevention of reputational damage due to ungrounded rumors and fears.<\/p>\n<p>We also ask the Japanese government to carry out various activities<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_6688_1('footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_4');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_6688_1('footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_4');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_6688_1_4\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[4]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_6688_1_4\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Meeting (6th) of Inter-Ministerial Council for Contaminated Water Issues and Decommissioning: Documents distributed at the 6th meeting of the inter-ministerial council for steady implementation of&nbsp;&#x2026; <span class=\"footnote_tooltip_continue\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_6688_1('footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_4');\">Continue reading<\/span><\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_6688_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_6688_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script> related to ensuring safety and as countermeasures for reputational damage. We ask it to follow through the determinations of the inter-ministerial council and steadily implement the basic policy<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_6688_1('footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_5');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_6688_1('footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_5');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_6688_1_5\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[5]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_6688_1_5\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Basic Policy on Handling of ALPS-treated water at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings\u2019 Fukushima Daiichi; found on the site&nbsp;&#x2026; <span class=\"footnote_tooltip_continue\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_6688_1('footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_5');\">Continue reading<\/span><\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_6688_1_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_6688_1_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>\u00a0on handling of ALPS-treated water.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, we ask the press to continue to report accurately based on valid, scientifically grounded information, remaining mindful that there are concerns and misunderstandings among people in Japan as well as in neighboring countries.<\/p>\n<p>The Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF) will endeavor to provide reliable, accurate information domestically and internationally, and to promote understanding through international cooperation and via its website.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>ARAI Shiro, President, JAIF<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&lt;Links&gt;<\/p>\n<p>\u25cb\u00a0\u00a0 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI): METI\u2019s portal site for decommissioning, and for handling of contaminated water and measures (Dealing with ALPS-treated water)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meti.go.jp\/earthquake\/nuclear\/hairo_osensui\/alps.html\">https:\/\/www.meti.go.jp\/earthquake\/nuclear\/hairo_osensui\/alps.html<\/a> [Japanese]<\/p>\n<p>\u25cb\u00a0\u00a0 Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA): The NRA issued certifications of completion of pre-use inspections of specific facilities to TEPCO.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nra.go.jp\/disclosure\/law_new\/INRF\/160001261.html\">https:\/\/www.nra.go.jp\/disclosure\/law_new\/INRF\/160001261.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u25cb\u00a0\u00a0 Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA): Nuclear Safety (Handling of ALPS-Treated Water)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/mofaj\/dns\/inec\/alps.html\">https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/mofaj\/dns\/inec\/alps.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u25cb\u00a0\u00a0 TEPCO Treated-Water portal site<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tepco.co.jp\/decommission\/progress\/watertreatment\/faq\/faq1\/\">https:\/\/www.tepco.co.jp\/decommission\/progress\/watertreatment\/faq\/faq1\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u25cb\u00a0\u00a0 JAIF (<em>Oshiete! Torikai Sensei<\/em>. <em>Imasara kikenai torichium no koto<\/em> [\u201cProf. Torikai: Lemme Know about tritium.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jaif.or.jp\/journal\/study\/torikai\/top.html\">https:\/\/www.jaif.or.jp\/journal\/study\/torikai\/top.html<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"speaker-mute footnotes_reference_container\"> <div class=\"footnote_container_prepare\"><p><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_label pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_6688_1();\">References<\/span><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button\" style=\"display: none;\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_6688_1();\">[<a id=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_6688_1\">+<\/a>]<\/span><\/p><\/div> <div id=\"footnote_references_container_6688_1\" style=\"\"><table class=\"footnotes_table footnote-reference-container\"><caption class=\"accessibility\">References<\/caption> <tbody> \r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_6688_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_6688_1_1');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_1\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>1<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Tritium is an isotope of hydrogen created in the natural environment. It is contained in rainwater, tap water and the atmosphere. It emits radiation so weak that it cannot penetrate a sheet of paper.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_6688_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_6688_1_2');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_2\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>2<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\"> Regulatory limit: Regulated values of radioactive concentrations in water and air released from facilities are regulatory limits. When multiple radioactive substances are emitted, the regulatory limit depends on the limits set for each substance and the ratios of their nuclides.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_6688_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_6688_1_3');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_3\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>3<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Source of tritium amounts released at NPPs in other countries: Material on the handling of ALPS-treated water, prepared by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE), can be found at this site:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meti.go.jp\/earthquake\/nuclear\/hairo_osensui\/pdf\/alps_02.pdf\"><span class=\"footnote_url_wrap\">https:\/\/www.meti.go.jp\/earthquake\/nuclear\/hairo_osensui\/pdf\/alps_02.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_6688_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_6688_1_4');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_4\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>4<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Meeting (6<sup>th<\/sup>) of Inter-Ministerial Council for Contaminated Water Issues and Decommissioning: Documents distributed at the 6<sup>th<\/sup> meeting of the inter-ministerial council for steady implementation of the basic policy on ALPS-treated water are found at the following site:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kantei.go.jp\/jp\/singi\/hairo_osensui\/alps_shorisui\/dai6\/index.html\"><span class=\"footnote_url_wrap\">https:\/\/www.kantei.go.jp\/jp\/singi\/hairo_osensui\/alps_shorisui\/dai6\/index.html<\/span><\/a><\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_6688_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_6688_1_5');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_6688_1_5\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>5<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Basic Policy on Handling of ALPS-treated water at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings\u2019 Fukushima Daiichi; found on the site below:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meti.go.jp\/earthquake\/nuclear\/hairo_osensui\/alps_policy.pdf\"><span class=\"footnote_url_wrap\">https:\/\/www.meti.go.jp\/earthquake\/nuclear\/hairo_osensui\/alps_policy.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> function footnote_expand_reference_container_6688_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_6688_1').show(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_6688_1').text('\u2212'); } function footnote_collapse_reference_container_6688_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_6688_1').hide(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_6688_1').text('+'); } function footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_6688_1() { if (jQuery('#footnote_references_container_6688_1').is(':hidden')) { footnote_expand_reference_container_6688_1(); } else { footnote_collapse_reference_container_6688_1(); } } function footnote_moveToReference_6688_1(p_str_TargetID) { footnote_expand_reference_container_6688_1(); var l_obj_Target = jQuery('#' + p_str_TargetID); if (l_obj_Target.length) { jQuery( 'html, body' ).delay( 0 ); jQuery('html, body').animate({ scrollTop: l_obj_Target.offset().top - window.innerHeight * 0.2 }, 380); } } function footnote_moveToAnchor_6688_1(p_str_TargetID) { footnote_expand_reference_container_6688_1(); var l_obj_Target = jQuery('#' + p_str_TargetID); if (l_obj_Target.length) { jQuery( 'html, body' ).delay( 0 ); jQuery('html, body').animate({ scrollTop: l_obj_Target.offset().top - window.innerHeight * 0.2 }, 380); } }<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>To steadily carry out the decommissioning work at the nuclear power plants (NPPs) and realize Fukushima\u2019s reconstruction, the handling of the water cannot be postponed. The start of offshore release represents a major step forward in Fukushima Daiichi\u2019s decommissioning. I would like to express my appreciation and respect for the understanding and efforts of everyone [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":6697,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,1,6,4],"tags":[920,27,272,974,23],"class_list":["post-6688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fukushima","category-news","category-npps","category-presidents-comments","tag-alps-treated-water","tag-fukushima","tag-fukushima-daiichi-1","tag-offshore-release","tag-tepco"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jaif.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jaif.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jaif.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jaif.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jaif.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6688"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.jaif.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6688\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6696,"href":"https:\/\/www.jaif.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6688\/revisions\/6696"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jaif.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jaif.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jaif.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jaif.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}