Porous Desalinization Device Discharges 26,000 Bq/cm3 of Beta Radiation By MAKO OSHIDORI
June 21, 2013
Mako Oshidori of Yoshimoto Creative Agency is a member of the Manzai Kyokai (The Association for Stand-up Comedians), and of the Board of Directors of the Free Press Association of Japan. She regularly attends press conferences given by public authorities and TEPCO since the outbreak of the Great East Japan Earthquake. She also relentlessly does reporting on Fukushima and other disaster-affected areas. She presently writes columns for “DAYS JAPAN” and “MAGAZINE 9”. For donations, please go to the link below:
http://oshidori-mako.laff.jp/blog/2011/07/post-ad67.html. Thank you for your support!
Announcements
A leak from a desalinization device has been reported. (A desalinization device consists of an apparatus used to purify water from its salinity through Reverse Osmosis after the removal of its radioactive components such as cesium. The leak occurred from RO-3, one of the three desalinization devices). An estimated volume of 360 liters of contaminated water has leaked. An examination revealed that discharged water contained radioactive elements in proportions as indicated below.
Cesium 134: 5.7×10-1(Bq/cm3)
Cesium 137: 1.7×10 (Bq/cm3)
Cobalt 60: 1.4×10-1 (Bq/cm3)
Antimony 125: 1.5×101 (Bq/cm3)
Total Beta Radiation: 2.6×104 (Bq/cm3)
A total volume of 26,000Bq/cc of beta radiation
1 liter =1000 cm3
2.6 x 104 x 1000x360=9,360, 000,000 =9.36 x 109
Thus, a simple calculation shows that 9,360 million Becquerel of beta radiation has leaked. The amount of leaked tritium must have been huger.
Despite the fact that contaminated water was contained inside the building, radiation did spread in the air through evaporation. It means that radioactive elements such as tritium are being continually emitted in the environment.
While current and last months’ incidents of radioactive leaks are still under evaluation, it’s alarming that new leaks are reported on top of the already high levels of tritium and strontium recorded from the monitoring well near the reactor n.2 turbine building and the huge volume of concentrated salt water that leaked from a groundwater storage tank.
(NB Original)
(11:20 a.m.: An E-mail from TEPCO)
Message from TEPCO:
To the news media:
The present e-mail message is intended for entities and individuals who have registered under the label: “Late Night & Early Morning Contact”.
-This message is about the actual situation of the reported leakages observed at the desalinization device n.3 (Reverse Osmosis: R0-3).
-After examination, proportions of radioactive components contained in the leaked water are as follows:
Cesium 134: 5.7×10-1(Bq/cm3)
Cesium 137: 1.7×10 (Bq/cm3)
Cobalt 60: 1.4×10-1 (Bq/cm3)
Antimony 125: 1.5×101 (Bq/cm3)
Total Beta Radiation: 2.6×104 (Bq/cm3)
-Based on the above indicated results, it has been determined that the leaked water was unprocessed, at the phase preceding its injection in the desalinization device (RO-3).
-Investigations in order to determine the cause of the leak are ongoing.
-Please, note that this electronic mail cannot be answered.
Over.
(Announcement made at 5:02 a.m., on June 21)
-This message is about the actual situation of the already reported leakages as observed at the desalinization device n.3 (Reverse Osmosis: R0-3).
-The leakages have been stopped. 360 liters of water are estimated to have been discharged in the Jabara House (30 meters x12meters x 1millimeters).
-Investigations in order to determine the causes of the leakages are ongoing.
-Detailed explanations will be given at the regular press conference.
(Announcement made at 4:29 a.m., on June 21)
-Today, June 21 at about 2:58 a.m., the leak detecting device of the desalinization apparatus n.3 (RO-3) in the Jabara House was found operating.
-At 3:03 a.m. our associated company’s worker discovered the leaks and stopped RO-3.
-The leaked water was all contained inside the Jabara House and there were no leakages of water outside the house.
-At present, we are investigating the matter into details. Results will be announced when they are at our disposal.
However, radiation levels at monitoring posts have not been significantly influenced.
- Please, note that the present electronic mail cannot be answered. Over.
(An E-mail Message from the Nuclear Regulation Authority)
To the news media:
Today the 21st, TEPCO released additional information about water that leaked from one of the desalinization devices. It is as follows:
- Results from the examined leaked water are as indicated below:
* Total Beta Radiation: 2.6 x 104 (Bq/cm3)
* Cesium 134: 5.7 x 10-1(Bq/cm3)
* Cesium 137: 1.7(Bq/cm3)
-After the removal of leaked water, we plan to carry out an investigation on the leaking places and the cause of the leakage.
The local nuclear facility inspector is investigating on the case.
------------1st Announcement---------------------------------------------
Today June 21, an announcement was made by TEPCO about the leak observed from a desalinization device* (messages were gradually received from 3:26 a.m.)
*A device utilized to desalinate water after it has been decontaminated from cesium or other radioactive materials through Reverse Osmosis. The water leaked from one of the three desalinization devices.
The leaked water is likely to be radioactive polluted, but since it has been contained inside the house, it has not been discharged into the sea.
-Today the 21 of June at 2:58 a.m., the leak detector of the desalinization device was operating.
-An on-site check revealed that water has leaked in the facility where desalination devices are installed. At about 3:03 a.m., the leaking device was turned off.
-Water stopped leaking after the device was turned off. The leaked water spread across an estimated surface of 30 by 12 meters and the volume was about 360 liters.
-Since the total volume of leaked water was contained inside the house, it has been determined that it has not been discharged into the sea.
-Since water to be poured into the nuclear reactor is stored in water storage tanks, the leakage has no effect on water to be utilized for nuclear reactor operation purposes.
Over.
(Translated from Japanese by Willy Lukebana Toko)
