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Since 24 Aug 2023, Japan has been steadily releasing treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. If you’re unsure what to make of the news, here are some key points to get you up to speed.
What’s in the water
The first 17 days will see a total discharge of 7,800 cubic metres with extra checks in place according to the operator of the power plant, Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco). In all, over 1 million tonnes of treated water is slated to be released. This is a crucial step in completely decommissioning the power plant after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami triggered 3 devastating meltdowns.
Each litre will contain about 190 becquerels of tritium, well below the drinking limit of 10,000 becquerels per litre set by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO).
Test results from marine life in the area may be available from September on the Japanese agriculture ministry’s website.
Our government’s response
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has ruled that seafood imports from Japan remain fit for consumption, adding that no radioactive contaminants have been detected since 2013.
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In addition, the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) environmental baseline radiation monitoring programme has found that “radioactivity measured continues to remain within our natural background levels”.
Other countries have not been as receptive. China’s Customs authority said it would “suspend the import of aquatic products originating in Japan from Aug 24, 2023, including edible aquatic animals”.
North Korea’s foreign ministry called the treated water discharge a “crime against humanity”, demanding its cessation immediately.
Going forward
According to SFA, food imports from Japan constitute less than 1.5% of total imports in the past decade. Fukushima imports made up an “insignificant” less than 0.01% of total imports in 2022.
So, should you be concerned about growing an extra limb after devouring a plate of prawn mee? Absolutely not. That doesn’t mean it’s advisable to go on a crustacean-consuming frenzy either. Or panic-buy salt. In essence, Japan’s release of treated water into the Pacific Ocean should not be the deciding factor in your decision to indulge in seafood. You can find answers to other concerns here.
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