The operator of the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant Monday admitted for the first time that radioactive groundwater has leaked out to sea, fuelling fears of ocean contamination.
The operator of the crippled
Fukushima
nuclear plant Monday admitted for the first time that radioactive groundwater
has leaked out to sea, fuelling fears of ocean contamination.
The admission came the day after Japanese voters went to the polls in an
election for the upper house, handing the largely pro-nuclear party of Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe a handsome majority.
Earlier this month, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (9501.TO), or Tepco, said
groundwater samples taken at the battered plant showed that levels of possibly
cancer-causing caesium-134 had shot up more than 110 times in a few days.
Tepco did not know the exact reasons for the increased readings but had
maintained that the toxic groundwater was likely contained at the current
location, largely by concrete foundations and steel sheets.
"But now we believe that contaminated water has flown out to the
sea," a Tepco spokesman said Monday.
However, the spokesman insisted that the impact of the radioactive water on the
ocean would be limited.
"Seawater data have shown no abnormal rise in the levels of
radioactivity."
Radioactive substances released by the meltdowns of reactors at the plant in
the aftermath of the huge tsunami of March 2011 have made their way into
underground water, which usually flows out to sea.
Environment experts warn that such leakage may affect marine life and
ultimately impact humans who eat sea creatures.
Tens of thousands of people were forced from their homes by the threat of
radiation after the tsunami and
Fukushima
disaster, with some still unable to return.
Although the nuclear accident is not officially recorded as having directly
killed anyone, the natural disaster claimed more than 18,000 lives.
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