Caption: The storage tanks for contaminated water at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in January 2023.
Photo credit: Philip Fong/AFP/Getty https://assets.bwbx.io/images/users/iqjWHBFdfxIU/ir6FjfYt8uP0/v0/2000x1333.jpg
On August 24th, 2023, Tokyo Electric Power Corporation, the operator of the Fukushima nuclear power plant, began releasing radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean. Nuclear power stations currently have 1.34 million tons of wastewater stored in tanks and 100 tons of new polluted water are created every day since radioactive materials remain in the reactor. Japan estimates that it will take at least 30 years to remove all the radioactive water stored.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an intergovernmental organization aimed to enhance atomic energy's contribution to global peace and well-being. It advocates for the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies. The Japanese government, and some scientists, claim that the impact of releasing contaminated water will be negligible and the water will still be safe. However, other experts say, we cannot predict the impact. The water release can bring direct negative impacts to various sectors, from marine ecosystems to human life, such as decline of reproductivity and damage to cell structure. No one can guarantee its impact. That's why the emission of radioactive water is even more alarming.
Due to this uncertainty, there has been a regional hesitation to consume seafood. Especially, neighboring countries, China and South Korea, are giving skeptical responses. China announced that they would block all seafood imports from Japan. Numerous protests opposing the release are happening in South Korea.
The domestic fishing industry in particular is going through a severe crisis. According to the survey conducted by consumer organizations' safety awareness of fisheries products, 91.2 percent of the respondents answered they would restrict their intake of fisheries products. Consumers’ fears lead to their avoidance of buying seafood and will eventually impact their livelihoods. The need for action is urgent since the release of polluted water threatens not only the fisheries industry, which is already suffering from the decline of consumer demand for seafood, but also tourism and front and back associated industries.
The Korean government plans to regulate the purchase of fisheries products by restricting it to the government and private sectors, in case of a decrease in consumption, as well as measures to prevent consumption from decreasing by ensuring people that "our fisheries products are safe." However, the public and fish industries remain concerned. The government’s role in shaping the future of fisheries will become increasingly important in the coming years. Their approach of communicating about security and safety for the people will be critical.
The release of radioactive water not only has the possibility of impacting the ecosystem and health but also the economy of a country. The government will have to find measures for protecting its own economy, and only we can secure our health. The IAEA is conducting safety reviews of the release and providing live data from Japan on its website. As additional release is scheduled, the most important and plausible thing we can do is avoid these negative effects by being alert, checking data frequently, and taking initiative for our own welfare.
Written by Inhee Choi |Staff Writer
Revised by Madison Sailakkham |Managing Editor
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