Radioactive water leaked from a disused power plant in Japan today during work to decomission it.
Parts of the Fugen nuclear plant in Fukui Prefecture are being dismantled, and while this took place, around around 20ml of water containing a ‘high’ amount of the radioactive isotope tritium leaked from a pipe.
Japanese broadcaster NHK One reported earlier that detailed investigations were underway to see if any workers were splashed with the water, though the possibility of internal exposure via inhalation had been ruled out.
Citing the Nuclear Regulation Authority, they said no radioactive material had leaked outside the controlled area of the plant.
Measurements of radiation levels both at the plant and the surrounding area are still normal.
The plant’s operator, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, said in a press conference that it was confident no workers were exposed, and the three who were initially feared to have been exposed have left the area.
They said a containment tent had been put up around the site before work started to prevent any radioactive material from spreading.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority was informed, because the concentration of tritium inside the containment area exceeded the legal limit.
What is tritium?
Tritium is a radioactive form of hydrogen, however it is considered one of the weaker forms of radiation.
It cannot penetrate human skin unless through a cut or graze, and is more of a concern if it is drank or inhaled, which authorities at the plant said has not happened today.
Its management in decomissioned nuclear plants has been a concern for Japan, however.
The country has been releasing water contaminated with tritium from the Fukashima plant since 2023, diluted with sea water until it is weak enough not to be seen as a risk.
Fukashima was the site of one of the world’s worst nuclear disasters after it was damaged in the huge earthquake and tsunami which hit Japan in 2011.
Its reactors were flooded, and radiation leaked out, forcing over 150,000 people to evacuate.
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