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Friday, April 7, 2017

IAEA: Fukushima Daiichi Status Updates

Fukushima Daiichi Status Updates

On 3 April 2017, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during March, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of March. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 23 March 2017, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the progress of investigation inside Unit 1 PCV at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan. The full report is here.

The Japanese Government has provided the IAEA with a report that summarizes the events and highlights the progress related to recovery operations at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The IAEA provided its assessments, which are contained in full at the end of the report.
The IAEA acknowledges further progress with the freezing of the land-side impermeable wall and, in combination with the sub-drain and groundwater drain systems operation, its effect on decreasing the volume of ingress groundwater. The IAEA encourages continuation of these efforts for contaminated water management.
The IAEA notes the progress made in the investigation of damaged fuel and fuel debris inside the PCVs. The investigation will allow the operator to plan for future activities needed to remove fuel and fuel debris.
The IAEA acknowledges further progress in the preparatory activities towards the removal of spent fuel from storage pools of the reactor buildings.
The IAEA acknowledges the efforts and the progress in the decontamination works both in the SDA and ICSA. Efforts to reduce the amounts of contaminated soil to be disposed of are encouraged and discussions with stakeholders to find appropriate options for soil recycling are noted as a positive action.
Based on the information that has been provided, the IAEA acknowledges that on-site monitoring results remain stable. Extensive decontamination efforts and the decay of the radionuclides contributed to the decrease of air dose rates within the 20 km zone.
The IAEA takes note of the decisions to lift the evacuation orders and the preparation for the return of residents, which indicate Japan's continued efforts towards the recovery of the areas affected by the accident. As mentioned in a previous report in August 2016, the IAEA encourages Japan to continue its monitoring of radiation exposure doses of the residents and the continued provision of practical measures of radiation protection (e.g. measurement of individual doses, health care and consultations) for people returning to previously evacuated areas.
The IAEA acknowledges the availability of data related to the occupational radiation protection of workers involved with on-site and off-site decontamination and remediation activities.
Based on the information provided by Japan, no significant changes were observed in the monitoring results for seawater, sediment and marine biota during the period covered by this report. The levels measured by Japan in the marine environment are low and relatively stable. For the purpose of public reassurance, the IAEA encourages continuation of sea area monitoring, particularly considering the ongoing authorized discharges of treated and monitored groundwater into the ocean.

On 1 March 2017, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during February, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of February. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 16 February 2017, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the progress of investigation inside Unit 2 PCV at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan. The full report is here.


On 1 February 2017, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during January, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of January. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 4 January 2017, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during December, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of December. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 1 December 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during November, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international Missions in Japan.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of November. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

The Japanese Government has provided the IAEA with a report that summarizes the events and highlights the progress related to recovery operations at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The IAEA provided its assessments, which are contained in full at the end of the report.
The IAEA acknowledges further progress towards the full operation of the Frozen Soil Wall and the results achieved by the operation of the sub-drain and groundwater drain systems. The IAEA notes the importance of the monitoring of changes of earth temperature and groundwater levels for assessing the effect of the overall countermeasures against the groundwater issues.
The progress made in preparing for the removal of fuel from the spent fuel pool of Unit 1 has been noted, including the measures that have been implemented to reduce the potential for the spread of contamination during the fuel removal activities.
The IAEA also notes that no significant changes were observed in the monitoring results for seawater, sediment and marine biota during the period from August 2016 until the end of September 2016. The levels measured by Japan in the marine environment are low and relatively stable. For the purpose of public reassurance, the IAEA encourages continuation of sea area monitoring, particularly considering the ongoing authorized discharges of treated and monitored groundwater into the ocean.
The IAEA considers that the extensive data quality assurance programme helps to ensure that stakeholders can be confident of the accuracy and quality of the sea area monitoring data. The IAEA continues to assist the Government of Japan in ensuring that the regularly updated Sea Area Monitoring Plan is comprehensive, credible and transparent. A proficiency test and two inter-laboratory comparison exercises are organized annually to test the sampling and analytical performance of the Japanese laboratories for the analysis of radioactivity concentration in seawater, sediment and marine organisms. The results of the fifth inter-laboratory comparison exercise study are currently being analysed while a sixth inter-laboratory comparison exercise study is being planned. A third proficiency test started in September 2016, which includes the analysis of radioactivity concentration in seawater.
Experts from the IAEA will visit Japan from 14 to 18 November 2016 to collect water and fish samples from coastal waters off Fukushima Prefecture to support the quality assurance of radioactivity data collection and analysis by the responsible authorities in Japan (https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/mediaadvisories/sixth-iaea-mission-to-collect-marine-samples-from-coastal-waters-off-fukushima-prefecture).

On 1 November 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during October, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international missions in Japan.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of October. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 3 October 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during September, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all international missions in Japan.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of September. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

The Japanese Government has provided the IAEA with a report that summarizes the events and highlights the progress related to recovery operations at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The IAEA provided its assessments, which are contained in full at the end of the report.
In this assessment, the IAEA acknowledges the results of the investigation of the fuel debris location in the Unit 2 reactor, by applying the muons transmission method, and that they contribute to further assessment of the conditions inside the Unit 2 reactor and to developing an effective approach for the removal of fuel debris.
Regarding the Frozen Soil Wall, the IAEA notes that the established continuous monitoring of the changes of the earth temperature and groundwater levels is essential for assessing the effect of the overall countermeasures against the groundwater issues.
In addition, the IAEA assessment acknowledges that the lifting of the evacuation orders indicates Japan's efforts with regard to the environmental remediation and recovery activities in the areas affected by the accident. The IAEA encourages Japan to continue these efforts and its monitoring of radiation exposure doses of the residents and the provision of practical measures of radiation protection (e.g. measurement of individual doses, health care and consultations) for people returning to previously evacuated areas.
The IAEA also acknowledges that no significant changes were observed in the monitoring results for seawater, sediment and marine biota during the period from May 2016 to July 2016. The levels measured by Japan in the marine environment are low and relatively stable. For the purpose of public reassurance, the IAEA encourages continuation of sea area monitoring, particularly considering the ongoing authorized discharges of treated and monitored groundwater into the ocean.
The IAEA considers that the extensive data quality assurance programme helps to ensure that stakeholders can be confident of the accuracy and quality of the sea area monitoring data. The IAEA continues to assist the Government of Japan in ensuring that the regularly updated Sea Area Monitoring Plan is comprehensive, credible and transparent. A proficiency test and two inter-laboratory comparison exercises are organized annually to test the sampling and analytical performance of the Japanese laboratories for the determination of radionuclides in seawater, sediment and marine organisms. A fifth inter-laboratory comparison exercise study is currently underway and includes the analysis of the radioactivity concentration in seawater and marine sediment. A third proficiency test will start in September 2016 and includes the analysis of radioactivity concentration in seawater.

On 1 September 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during August, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of August. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 1 August 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during July, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of July. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 4 July 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during June, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of June. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 3 June 2016, the Tritiated Water Task Force has announced the release of a report as well as an outline of the report that presents the results of technical evaluations conducted by the Tritiated Water Task at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.
The Tritiated Water Task Force is an expert’s group established under the governmental Committee on Contaminated Water Countermeasures to examine and consider various options for the handling of contaminated water in the site containing radioactive hydrogen (tritium).
As the current Multi-nuclide removal equipment installed at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station is not technically capable of removing tritium, the treated contaminated water still contains tritium and is stored within the Fukushima Daiichi site. The report evaluates various options regarding the handling of this tritiated water.
The full text (in Japanese only) of the outline of the report is available on the website of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (see here).

The Japanese Government has provided the IAEA with a report that summarizes the events and highlights the progress related to recovery operations at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The IAEA provided its assessments, which are contained in full at the end of the report.
In this assessment, the IAEA acknowledges further progress toward the achievement of a sustainable situation regarding groundwater and contaminated water issues, including the commencement of the freezing of the major part of the land-side impermeable wall (started in March 2016). Other technical measures, such as the completion of the separation of Unit 1 turbine building from the circulation water injection line, also demonstrate progress in water management. These activities, as well as the ground water bypass and drain pumping, indicate effective implementation of the overall water management strategy.
In addition, the IAEA assessment states that no significant changes were observed in the monitoring results for seawater, sediment and marine biota during the period from February 2016 to April 2016. The levels measured by Japan in the marine environment are low and stable. For the purpose of public reassurance, the IAEA encourages continuation of sea area monitoring, particularly considering the ongoing authorized discharges of treated and monitored groundwater into the ocean.
The IAEA continues to assist the Government of Japan in ensuring that the regularly updated Sea Area Monitoring Plan is comprehensive, credible and transparent. A proficiency test and two inter-laboratory comparison exercises are organized annually to test the sampling and analytical performance of the Japanese laboratories for the analysis of radionuclides in seawater, sediment and marine organisms. A fifth inter-laboratory comparison exercise study is currently underway and includes the analysis of the levels of radionuclides in seawater and marine sediment. The results of the first four inter-laboratory comparison exercise studies (organised in 2014–2015) were presented in an IAEA progress report released in April 2016. The report indicated that the participating Japanese laboratories produced reliable data on the level of radionuclides in seawater, sediment and fish samples collected near Fukushima (see here).
The IAEA considers that the extensive data quality assurance programme helps to ensure that stakeholders can be confident of the accuracy and quality of the sea area monitoring data.

On 1 June 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during May, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of May. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 2 May 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during April, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of April. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

On 1 April 2016, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the sea water monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during March, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent to all missions in Tokyo.
The report contains information on discharges from the subdrain and groundwater drain systems, as well as on groundwater bypassing conducted during the month of March. In both cases, in advance of the action, TEPCO analyzes the quality of the groundwater to be discharged and announces the results. These results confirm that the radiation level of sampled water are substantially below the operational targets set by TEPCO.

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