Tritium Detected at Three Times the Detection Limit Near Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Japan

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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Excessive levels of tritium were detected in seawater around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan.

According to Kyodo News on the 4th, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) announced that the tritium concentration in seawater samples collected near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant was measured at 29 becquerels (Bq) per liter (L). This level is about three times higher than the detection lower limit of 10 Bq per liter for tritium in contaminated water samples.

Kyodo News reported that "this is significantly lower than the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standard of 10,000 Bq per liter." The Japanese government’s discharge standard for contaminated water (referred to as "treated water" by the Japanese government) is 1,500 Bq per liter.

The sample was taken from the location closest to the discharge outlet where contaminated water is released. In three other samples collected from different locations excluding this site, tritium concentrations were below the detection lower limit.

Although tritium concentrations in seawater around the nuclear plant have exceeded the detection lower limit in previous discharge rounds, this is the first time it has happened during the 5th discharge. TEPCO began the 5th round of contaminated water ocean discharge on the 19th of last month and plans to complete it by the 7th.

Meanwhile, TEPCO starts an investigation if tritium levels exceed 350 Bq per liter within 3 km of the plant. If levels exceed 700 Bq per liter, TEPCO will consider whether to suspend the discharge.

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