Jul 09, 2013
The rates show that radioactive contamination is quickly spreading in the disaster area despite ongoing efforts to decommission the site, with levels of cesium-134 and cesium-137 as high as 90 times greater than they were just three days prior.
"We still don't know why the level of radiation surged, but we are continuing efforts to avert further expansion of contamination," a TEPCO spokesman stated.
TEPCO says that it is now attempting to determine if the substances are seeping into the ocean, a possibility that is very likely, as the Japan Times reports:
The substances, which were released by the meltdowns of reactors at the plant in the aftermath of the huge tsunami of March 2011, were not absorbed by soil and have made their way into groundwater.
Subsoil water usually flows out to sea, meaning these two substances could normally make their way into the ocean, possibly affecting marine life and ultimately impacting humans who eat sea creatures.
The site of the nuclear disaster has been plagued by a series of storage tank leaks among a list of other mishaps this year.
Last month, similar reports had surfaced showing spikes in radioactive substances in the groundwater.
The news arrives as several nuclear reactors in Japan moved closer to restarting this week, with four utility companies applying for safety inspections for 10 idled plants--or what the Associated Press called "the clearest sign of a return to atomic energy almost two and a half years after the Fukushima disaster."
_______________________
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Jacob Chamberlain
Jacob Chamberlain is a former staff writer for Common Dreams. His website is www.jacobpchamberlain.com.
The rates show that radioactive contamination is quickly spreading in the disaster area despite ongoing efforts to decommission the site, with levels of cesium-134 and cesium-137 as high as 90 times greater than they were just three days prior.
"We still don't know why the level of radiation surged, but we are continuing efforts to avert further expansion of contamination," a TEPCO spokesman stated.
TEPCO says that it is now attempting to determine if the substances are seeping into the ocean, a possibility that is very likely, as the Japan Times reports:
The substances, which were released by the meltdowns of reactors at the plant in the aftermath of the huge tsunami of March 2011, were not absorbed by soil and have made their way into groundwater.
Subsoil water usually flows out to sea, meaning these two substances could normally make their way into the ocean, possibly affecting marine life and ultimately impacting humans who eat sea creatures.
The site of the nuclear disaster has been plagued by a series of storage tank leaks among a list of other mishaps this year.
Last month, similar reports had surfaced showing spikes in radioactive substances in the groundwater.
The news arrives as several nuclear reactors in Japan moved closer to restarting this week, with four utility companies applying for safety inspections for 10 idled plants--or what the Associated Press called "the clearest sign of a return to atomic energy almost two and a half years after the Fukushima disaster."
_______________________
Jacob Chamberlain
Jacob Chamberlain is a former staff writer for Common Dreams. His website is www.jacobpchamberlain.com.
The rates show that radioactive contamination is quickly spreading in the disaster area despite ongoing efforts to decommission the site, with levels of cesium-134 and cesium-137 as high as 90 times greater than they were just three days prior.
"We still don't know why the level of radiation surged, but we are continuing efforts to avert further expansion of contamination," a TEPCO spokesman stated.
TEPCO says that it is now attempting to determine if the substances are seeping into the ocean, a possibility that is very likely, as the Japan Times reports:
The substances, which were released by the meltdowns of reactors at the plant in the aftermath of the huge tsunami of March 2011, were not absorbed by soil and have made their way into groundwater.
Subsoil water usually flows out to sea, meaning these two substances could normally make their way into the ocean, possibly affecting marine life and ultimately impacting humans who eat sea creatures.
The site of the nuclear disaster has been plagued by a series of storage tank leaks among a list of other mishaps this year.
Last month, similar reports had surfaced showing spikes in radioactive substances in the groundwater.
The news arrives as several nuclear reactors in Japan moved closer to restarting this week, with four utility companies applying for safety inspections for 10 idled plants--or what the Associated Press called "the clearest sign of a return to atomic energy almost two and a half years after the Fukushima disaster."
_______________________
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.