Radiological Impact AssessmentReport Regarding the Discharge of ALPS TreatedWater into the Sea (Fukushima Nuclear Plant)
Discharging doubt: An analysis of TEPCO’s water study and discharge plan at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station
Discharging treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) into the Pacific Ocean involves balancing public safety, environmental protection, and operational feasibility. TEPCO’s Radiological Impact Assessment report claims the risks of its discharge plan are minimal, but the assessment has several flaws that systematically understate potential impacts. Specifically, the report:
Ignored Potential Harms of Tritium Contamination:
- Lack of human epidemiological studies on tritium exposure
- Insufficient data on long-term ecological impacts on diverse marine species
- Overlooked bioaccumulation risks in marine food chains, particularly fish
- Minimized consideration of public concern about tritium releases
Assumptions which Limit Scope of Impact:
- Assumed uniform spatial dilution of tritium in the ocean, despite known currents and local accumulation risks
- Focused on short-term modeling, ignoring longer-term environmental variability
- Applied low dose constraints (0.05 mSv/year) without adequately addressing cumulative exposures over time
Cherry Picked Data and Analysis:
- Relied on model simulations validated with cesium data, without comprehensive tritium monitoring
- Selected exposure scenarios that minimize estimated human doses
- Failed to fully assess impacts on marine biota, including ignoring potential bioaccumulation in key species (e.g., other crustaceans, mollusks, cephalopods, and larger pelagic and highly migratory fish like tuna species, a lucrative stock for the local and regional commercial fishing industry)
- Underrepresented stakeholder input, particularly from affected fishing communities and international actors
All these issues underestimate risk. There is a high likelihood that these biases result in underreporting both the human health risks and the ecological impacts of tritium release from FDNPS. By underestimating risks and downplaying stakeholder concerns, the report’s conclusions become ethically questionable.
Supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency, TEPCO proceeded with its discharge plan despite insufficient accountability for local communities and ecosystems. This report is significant for the shaping future environmental policy by setting a precedent for radioactive waste treatment and disposal. This has potential to be a slippery slope in a new era of nuclear energy production.
