Fukushima Debris Removal Operation Underway After Delays
On Tuesday, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) initiated a challenging operation to extract a small sample of radioactive debris from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. This effort comes after technical difficulties halted a previous attempt. The pilot extraction process is expected to last approximately two weeks and aims to gather crucial information regarding conditions within the reactors, which is essential for the plant’s long-term decommissioning.
Thirteen years after a devastating tsunami triggered a 9.0-magnitude earthquake, around 880 tons of hazardous material still remain at the site, posing significant challenges for cleanup efforts. The removal of this debris is considered one of the most formidable tasks in the ongoing decommissioning project.
TEPCO had initially planned to begin this trial operation on August 22, targeting the collection of just three grams (0.1 ounces) of debris for analysis. However, the company had to halt its operations at an early stage due to equipment installation issues.
During the catastrophic event on March 11, 2011, three of the six reactors at the Fukushima plant were active, leading to meltdowns and the release of high levels of radiation. The debris within the reactors is so contaminated that specialized robots have been developed to navigate the hazardous environment. TEPCO previously deployed mini-drones and a snake-shaped robot in February as part of the preparation for this extraction effort.
In a related development, Japan began discharging treated wastewater from the Fukushima facility into the Pacific Ocean last year, sparking a diplomatic dispute with China and Russia, both of which have imposed bans on Japanese seafood imports. Japan maintains that the discharge is safe, a position supported by the UN atomic agency.
Additionally, in an effort to promote local produce, London’s prestigious Harrods department store recently began selling Fukushima peaches, known for their exceptional sweetness. However, the luxury comes at a steep price, with a box of three peaches retailing for around £80 ($100).
