FMT:
Japan asked to reconsider nuclear wastewater release
A German marine institute said strong ocean currents along the coast of Japan would spread radioactive isotopes across the Pacific.
Japan is reported to be preparing to release into the Pacific Ocean wastewater contaminated by a 2011 meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant after a filtration process. (AP Pic)
PUTRAJAYA: Two Malaysian maritime experts have asked Japan to reconsider releasing 1.25 million tonnes of contaminated wastewater from the 2011 meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.
Speaking to FMT, former Maritime Institute of Malaysia (Mima) director-general Chin Yoon Chin and Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security (Midas) chief executive Ya’cob Samiran said they were concerned about the risk to marine life and humans.
Previously, the German Institute for Marine Science claimed that the world’s strongest ocean currents along the coast of Japan would spread radioactive isotopes across the Pacific.
Despite multiple objections by the international community, Japan said it would release the contaminated wastewater into the ocean sometime this year. The process is expected to take 30 years, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper.
Chin said Japan should not use the ocean as a “dumping ground” without taking into consideration the environmental harm that it was likely to cause.
“Currently, the sea is littered with debris disposed of by indiscriminate humans. If such practices continue unchecked, it will destroy marine resources like corals, reefs, fish, molluscs and other seafood – affecting the food security for our future generations,” he added.
Chin also called for regulations or established protocols to be put in place, saying that countries should be subjected to inspections by an appointed independent authorised body prior to releasing contaminants into the ocean.
“There ought to be concerted efforts by nations operating nuclear power generators not to contaminate and pollute oceans to ensure continued marine life sustainability,” he said.
As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), Chin said Japan was obliged to preserve the marine environment and ensure that contaminated wastewater is cleaned to a safe level.
According to a Reuters report, Japan’s foreign ministry said regulators deemed it safe to release the water, which would be filtered to remove most isotopes but would still contain traces of tritium, an isotope of hydrogen hard to separate from water.
Ya’cob said releasing treated radioactive wastewater into the sea carried several potential risks, even if the wastewater has been processed and deemed safe by the authorities.
He said apart from health risks, wastewater dumping could have a negative economic impact, such as decreased public confidence in the seafood industry. He also said it may also cause geopolitical tensions which may give rise to strained diplomatic relations in the region.
“If there are significant concerns or uncertainties, it may be prudent to reevaluate the plan and explore alternative disposal options to prevent further harm to the environment and affected communities,” said Ya’cob.
However, Ya’cob pointed out that there were specific circumstances where the release of radioactive substances into the sea was allowed under certain guidelines and protective measures, such as those set out by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“These discharges must be within the permissible limits and are subject to strict regulatory controls to ensure minimal environmental impact and human exposure,” he said.
Natural resources, environment and climate change minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad declined to comment when contacted.
PUTRAJAYA: Two Malaysian maritime experts have asked Japan to reconsider releasing 1.25 million tonnes of contaminated wastewater from the 2011 meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.
Speaking to FMT, former Maritime Institute of Malaysia (Mima) director-general Chin Yoon Chin and Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security (Midas) chief executive Ya’cob Samiran said they were concerned about the risk to marine life and humans.
Previously, the German Institute for Marine Science claimed that the world’s strongest ocean currents along the coast of Japan would spread radioactive isotopes across the Pacific.
Despite multiple objections by the international community, Japan said it would release the contaminated wastewater into the ocean sometime this year. The process is expected to take 30 years, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper.
Chin said Japan should not use the ocean as a “dumping ground” without taking into consideration the environmental harm that it was likely to cause.
“Currently, the sea is littered with debris disposed of by indiscriminate humans. If such practices continue unchecked, it will destroy marine resources like corals, reefs, fish, molluscs and other seafood – affecting the food security for our future generations,” he added.
Chin also called for regulations or established protocols to be put in place, saying that countries should be subjected to inspections by an appointed independent authorised body prior to releasing contaminants into the ocean.
“There ought to be concerted efforts by nations operating nuclear power generators not to contaminate and pollute oceans to ensure continued marine life sustainability,” he said.
As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), Chin said Japan was obliged to preserve the marine environment and ensure that contaminated wastewater is cleaned to a safe level.
According to a Reuters report, Japan’s foreign ministry said regulators deemed it safe to release the water, which would be filtered to remove most isotopes but would still contain traces of tritium, an isotope of hydrogen hard to separate from water.
Ya’cob said releasing treated radioactive wastewater into the sea carried several potential risks, even if the wastewater has been processed and deemed safe by the authorities.
He said apart from health risks, wastewater dumping could have a negative economic impact, such as decreased public confidence in the seafood industry. He also said it may also cause geopolitical tensions which may give rise to strained diplomatic relations in the region.
“If there are significant concerns or uncertainties, it may be prudent to reevaluate the plan and explore alternative disposal options to prevent further harm to the environment and affected communities,” said Ya’cob.
However, Ya’cob pointed out that there were specific circumstances where the release of radioactive substances into the sea was allowed under certain guidelines and protective measures, such as those set out by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“These discharges must be within the permissible limits and are subject to strict regulatory controls to ensure minimal environmental impact and human exposure,” he said.
Natural resources, environment and climate change minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad declined to comment when contacted.
Do anyone realise the difference between
ReplyDelete*nuclear wastewater
&
*nuclear contaminated water
??!!
Or all of u thinking they r the same!
The bloody Jap r playing with words.