Testing Begins on Release of Fukushima Water into the Sea
2023-06-13
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1The operator of Japan's damaged Fukushima nuclear center has begun testing a process to release treated wastewater into the sea.
2Tests began Monday as workers examined processing equipment at the newly-completed seaside pumping center, said Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO).
3The water release is necessary to move forward with cleanup efforts at the Fukushima center.
4Three reactors there suffered meltdowns after a 2011 earthquake and huge ocean waves destroyed the plant's cooling systems.
5The disaster forced 160,000 people to flee nearby areas poisoned by radioactive material.
6The water has already gone through a process designed to remove harmful materials.
7This is why the government describes it as "treated" and not "radioactive."
8But experts say it is impossible to remove all the radioactivity.
9TEPCO and government officials say tritium - a radioactive form of hydrogen - is the only substance that cannot be removed from the water.
10They say tritium is not considered harmful in small amounts.
11Equipment will first mix the treated water with large amounts of seawater.
12The mixture will then enter an undersea passage, called a tunnel, to be released into the Pacific Ocean about 1 kilometer from the coast.
13The testing by TEPCO is expected to last about two weeks.
14After that, the pumping operation will need to be examined by the country's Nuclear Regulation Authority.
15Those required tests are likely to begin in early July.
16Japan's government announced plans in April 2021 to slowly release the treated water, which it says meets safe levels.
17But the plan to release water into the sea has faced strong protests from local fishing communities.
18They are worried about safety and fear the plan will hurt seafood businesses.
19Nearby nations - including South Korea, China and Pacific Island nations - have also raised safety concerns.
20Japan's government has set up a financial assistance program to help affected fishing communities.
21Fishing officials again voiced their opposition to the plan during a weekend visit to the area by Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura.
22Tetsu Nozaki is head of a local fishing organization.
23He told Nishimura that local fishermen still "stand by" their opposition.
24He added, however, that his group supports progress in the plant's decommissioning and hopes to continue negotiations with the government.
25Currently though, he admitted the two sides "remain wide apart."
26In South Korea, fishermen protested the plan Monday in front of the country's National Assembly in Seoul.
27Japanese officials say the treated water will be released into the ocean over many years, making it harmless to people and sea life.
28Japan has sought support from the International Atomic Energy Agency during the process.
29This aimed to gain credibility with the public and ensure that safety measures meet international requirements.
30I'm Anna Mateo.
1The operator of Japan's damaged Fukushima nuclear center has begun testing a process to release treated wastewater into the sea. 2Tests began Monday as workers examined processing equipment at the newly-completed seaside pumping center, said Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO). 3The water release is necessary to move forward with cleanup efforts at the Fukushima center. Three reactors there suffered meltdowns after a 2011 earthquake and huge ocean waves destroyed the plant's cooling systems. The disaster forced 160,000 people to flee nearby areas poisoned by radioactive material. 4The water has already gone through a process designed to remove harmful materials. This is why the government describes it as "treated" and not "radioactive." But experts say it is impossible to remove all the radioactivity. TEPCO and government officials say tritium - a radioactive form of hydrogen - is the only substance that cannot be removed from the water. They say tritium is not considered harmful in small amounts. 5Equipment will first mix the treated water with large amounts of seawater. The mixture will then enter an undersea passage, called a tunnel, to be released into the Pacific Ocean about 1 kilometer from the coast. 6The testing by TEPCO is expected to last about two weeks. After that, the pumping operation will need to be examined by the country's Nuclear Regulation Authority. Those required tests are likely to begin in early July. 7Japan's government announced plans in April 2021 to slowly release the treated water, which it says meets safe levels. 8But the plan to release water into the sea has faced strong protests from local fishing communities. They are worried about safety and fear the plan will hurt seafood businesses. 9Nearby nations - including South Korea, China and Pacific Island nations - have also raised safety concerns. Japan's government has set up a financial assistance program to help affected fishing communities. 10Fishing officials again voiced their opposition to the plan during a weekend visit to the area by Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura. 11Tetsu Nozaki is head of a local fishing organization. He told Nishimura that local fishermen still "stand by" their opposition. He added, however, that his group supports progress in the plant's decommissioning and hopes to continue negotiations with the government. Currently though, he admitted the two sides "remain wide apart." 12In South Korea, fishermen protested the plan Monday in front of the country's National Assembly in Seoul. 13Japanese officials say the treated water will be released into the ocean over many years, making it harmless to people and sea life. Japan has sought support from the International Atomic Energy Agency during the process. This aimed to gain credibility with the public and ensure that safety measures meet international requirements. 14I'm Anna Mateo. 15The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. 16_________________________________________________________________ 17Words in This Story 18decommission - v. to take equipment or weapons out of use 19credibility - n. the fact that someone can be believed or trusted 20____________________________________________________________________ 21What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 22Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.