The Japanese Government has provided the IAEA with a report that summarizes the events and highlights the progress related to recovery operations at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The IAEA provided its assessments, which are contained in full at the end of the report.
This assessment has been performed on aspects presented in the June 2021 report 'Events and highlights on the progress related to recovery operations at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station'. It does not include recent developments that will be taken into consideration in a next report.
Basic policy on handling of ALPS treated water
The IAEA notes the decision by the Government of Japan on issuing its basic policy on handling of the ALPS treated water. This constitutes a milestone that will help pave the way for continuous progress in the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi NPS. The IAEA welcomes Japan’s intention to strengthen environmental monitoring to collect and analyze additional data specific to this future release. These data will serve to ensure the radiation safety of the public and the environment and will also help to increase transparency regarding the implementation of the basic policy for discharge of ALPS-treated water.
In addition, upon Government of Japan’s request, the IAEA will conduct a review of the planned discharge against the relevant IAEA Safety Standards (IAEA to Review and Monitor the Safety of Water Release at Fukushima Daiichi | IAEA). The IAEA will work closely with Japan before, during and after the discharge of the water. This will help build confidence that the water disposal is carried out without an adverse impact on human health and the environment.
Fuel removal from the SFP in Unit 3
The IAEA acknowledges completion of fuel removal from the SFP in Unit 3 and commends the efforts of all parties involved in completing the difficult work within the target period even under the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Impact of the earthquake that occurred on 13 February 2021 at the Fukushima Daiichi NPS
The IAEA notes that the tanks storing ALPS treated water are designed and placed in order to maximize their resistance to earthquakes. Consequently, the earthquake that occurred on 13 February 2021 did not affect the tanks storing ALPS treated water and did not impair decommissioning operations. The IAEA acknowledges that enhanced monitoring of plant parameters for Unit 1 and Unit 3 has been implemented in response to this event.
Sea area monitoring results
Based on the information provided by Japan, while noting the detection of levels of radiocaesium elevated as compared to Japan’s national standard limit in two marine fish samples, the IAEA acknowledges that no significant changes were observed in the monitoring results for seawater, sediment and marine biota, including fishery products, during the period covered by this report. The levels measured by Japan in the marine environment are low and relatively stable. For the purpose of public reassurance, the IAEA encourages the continuation of sea area monitoring. Furthermore, the IAEA considers that the ongoing data quality assurance programme that is in place is key for ensuring the accuracy and the quality of the results of the monitoring programme. It also contributes to facilitating transparency and building stakeholders’ confidence.
Food products
The IAEA notes that the ingestion dose is less than 0.14 % of the 1 mSv/year specified in the International Basic Safety Standards1/.
Public communication on the monitoring results and associated regulatory actions is helping to maintain confidence. Food restrictions continue to be revised and updated as necessary in line with food sampling results. Thousands of food sampling results were reported each month over the reporting period. This attention paid to monitoring food products continues to indicate the vigilance of the authorities in Japan and their commitment to protecting consumers and trade. Monitoring, appropriate regulatory action and public communication are helping to maintain confidence in the safety of the food supply.
Based on the information that has been made available, the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture understands that measures to monitor and respond to issues regarding radionuclide contamination of food are appropriate, that the food supply chain is controlled effectively by the relevant authorities and that the public food supply is safe.
__________
1/ Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards, IAEA Safety Standards Series No. GSR Part 3, IAEA, Vienna (2014). See Requirement 51.