Thursday, September 14, 2023

Radioactive material leaks detected at Japan's nuclear fuel research facility


al Jazeera:

Radioactive material leaks detected at Japan's nuclear fuel research facility


Pollution found during inspection on glovebox equipment designed to be airtight.



The Fukushima nuclear reactor which was damaged in the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and whose treated wastewater is being dumped into the sea. Wikipedia pic.


TOKYO -- The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has confirmed the detection of radioactive material leaks in one of its nuclear fuel research facilities but reported no adverse effects on the health of the staff or the surrounding environment, Xinhua quoted local media reports.

The leaks were detected within the Plutonium Fuel Development Room No. 3 at the JAEA's Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering Laboratories, located in Tokai Village, Ibaraki Prefecture, national news agency Kyodo reported, citing the agency.

Last Friday, the Plutonium Fuel Development Room No. 3 identified pollution caused by radioactive materials at four locations within the facility.

The pollution was discovered during a routine inspection of the glovebox equipment, which is designed to be airtight.

The contamination was found both above and below the glovebox, with the highest level of radioactive activity measuring approximately 33 becquerels.

Although the glovebox contained nuclear fuel materials, it had not been in recent use and was solely undergoing a biennial routine inspection, said the JAEA.

The JAEA has reassured the public that the leak of nuclear material has not had any negative consequences for the health of the facility's four staff members, or the surrounding environment.

At present, the cause of the radioactive material leak is under investigation. Authorities at the laboratories suspected that the radioactive materials may have seeped out of the equipment. -- Bernama-Xinhua


1 comment:

  1. The Japanese administrations have been a recalcitrant liar par excellent wrt damaging reports about their govt.

    Only fools, evil tricksters & politikus would believe & defense ANY of their 'no danger/harm' declarations!

    ReplyDelete