Will Japan’s nuclear wastewater affect B.C.’s coast?

As many raise concerns about Japan’s decision to release treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean, some are asking, how will coastal communities be affected by that move?

If you’re around the Vancouver region, one expert notes the sheer size of the Pacific.

“We won’t get any kind of reasonable amount, especially because the Japanese are diluting the water before they put it in the ocean so that it should be at or below the standards for radiation exposure,” said Allison Macfarlane, director, UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs.

The wastewater comes from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. The facility was severely damaged in the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which destroyed the plant’s cooling systems, causing three reactors to melt. The wastewater was used to cool the nuclear reactors, and has leaked continuously to building basements and mixed with groundwater.

The plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, says it has taken steps to limit the amount of groundwater and rainwater entering the reactor area, and has reduced the increase in contaminated water to about 100 tons a day, 1/5 of the initial amount. The water is collected and partly recycled as cooling water after treatment, with the rest stored in around 1,000 tanks, which are already filled to 98 per cent of their 1.37 million-ton capacity.

Macfarlane says with the need to free up space, dumping the water into the ocean is the easiest solution. She notes that while Japan has filtered the water to be safe, some questions remain.

“Are there still other kinds of radioactive elements in the water? Because the removal system that they use didn’t remove 100 per cent of everything,” she explained.

At a news conference last week, Canada’s environment minister said the issue was talked about at the May G7 meeting in Japan. Despite these conversations, he expressed his concern about the radioactive wastewater.

“The International Nuclear Safety Organization has stated that they have done some testing and, in their view, the amount of radioactive water that will be released is within safe limits. That doesn’t mean we will not continue to monitor the situation and engage proactively with the Japanese government,” explained Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault on Aug. 24.

In a statement to CityNews, the Consulate General of Japan in Vancouver says, in part, “Japan will take all possible measures to ensure the safety of discharge into the sea, and will not discharge in a manner that would adversely affect human health or environment.”

Related articles: 

• Fukushima’s radioactive wastewater is being released in the Pacific. Here’s what you need to know

• South Koreans protest the planned release of Fukushima wastewater during a visit by the head of IAEA

• Fukushima residents are cautious after the wrecked nuclear plant began releasing treated wastewater

• Japan marks 12 years from tsunami and nuclear disaster

While she still has some questions, Macfarlane says she doesn’t think B.C. residents should avoid eating seafood from Japan, as places like China ban marine product imports from the country.

However, she says she understands why they’re doing it.

“It’s always an issue of precedent. So maybe this won’t affect them but if this is allowed, then what’s next? What would they dump next?” Macfarlane said.

She says if you’re living on this side of the Pacific Ocean, keep living life as usual and enjoying the water.

-With files from The Associated Press