During an ongoing eight-day visit, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is inspecting the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant’s treated wastewater release into the sea. The UN nuclear watchdog is also overseeing the collection and processing of seawater and marine sediment samples near the plant. These samples will be sent to laboratories in respective countries for independent testing, a move aimed at bolstering confidence in Japan’s data, as per the request of the Japanese government.
Paul McGinnity, an IAEA marine radiology scientist leading the survey, revealed that six species of fish known for higher radioactivity levelsโolive flounder, crimson sea bream, redwing searobin, Japanese jack mackerel, silver croaker, and vermiculated puffer fishโwere selected for examination. The fish will be shipped to a Fisheries Agency laboratory in Chiba, near Tokyo, where IAEA scientists will analyze them.
While no significant changes in the fish are expected, McGinnity noted a slight increase in tritium levels near the discharge points, as the plant’s treatment system cannot remove tritium from the Fukushima wastewater. Despite this, overall radioactivity levels are anticipated to be similar to those measured before the discharge began last year.
Fukushima Daiichi initiated the release of treated wastewater into the sea on August 24, addressing over a million metric tons of water contaminated from contact with fuel rods after the 2011 disaster. The IAEA has reviewed the safety of this wastewater release, assuring negligible impacts on the environment, marine life, and human health. However, public skepticism has led to protests in Japan and South Korea since August.
