By Natalia Rueda 
In the wake of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, Japan began a controversial plan to dump treated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean – a decision that continues to generate strong opposition from governments, environmentalists, and industry alike.
On Sunday, August 27, the Japanese Environment Ministry tested water from 11 points near the Fukushima nuclear plant and found no significant levels of radioactivity. The Japanese government has argued that they’ll keep the discharge within internationally approved levels of radiation, but an increasing number of experts continue to challenge the safety and accuracy of the data they’ve provided.
Japan claims that this step is essential for the decommissioning of the nuclear plant, to free up the space occupied by 1.3 million cubic meters of contaminated water. Radiation contamination of ocean water can cause significant and long-term genetic damage to exposed organisms. The potential impacts of radiation, however, are not just limited to marine life, as it can also affect public health, tourism, and the sustainability of fisheries.
Despite the assurances, questions remain about the efficacy of the plan and its potential effects on the environment and human health. China has strongly objected to it, and imports of Japanese seafood have been vetoed. Moreover, South Korea has seen multiple protests against the dumping in recent weeks. Protesters claim that the full ecosystem impacts of releasing radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean have not been studied.
The long-term damage of exposure to radiation includes health effects on humans such as immune, nervous and reproductive system damage, and psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Contaminated food and water can also affect people and animals, as well as marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
The Japanese government originally envisioned a 30- to 40-year plan for the decommissioning of the nuclear plant. However, experts interviewed by AP indicate that, if it is possible to remove all the melted fuel, it could take up to 100 years.
Whether or not Japan will be able to keep good on its promise of safety for everyone involved remains to be seen – but the potential risks are far-reaching and highly concerning. As we consider the scientific and environmental implications of the discharged radioactive wastewater, we can only hope Japan can deliver on its pledge.
With information from Reuters, AP