Nuclear experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency are this week expected to formally back Japan’s controversial plan to release radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean – but is it the right thing to do?, which caused the meltdown of three reactors at Fukushima. The contaminated water, which is currently sitting in roughly 1000 giant tanks on site, was used to keep Fukushima’s reactors and debris cool following the disaster.
Tritium, which has a radioactive half-life of just over 12 years, emits low-energy beta particles and does little damage to cells, says Farnan. Because of its bond with water, it will pass through most marine organisms without causing harm, he says. Many nuclear plants around the world already discharge tritium into the ocean.discharging the water soon because the tanks will hit capacity in 2024.