Radiological Consequences of the Fukushima Event for the Pacific Ocean
In connection with the accident in Fukushima large amounts of highly contaminated water seeped through various parts of the reactor buildings and made their way into the Pacific Ocean. By this, radioactive substances spread into the sea and were enriched in fish and seaweed. As these can be consumed by men, this can cause radioactive doses and damage to humans.
Oeko-Institut quantifies the data, which was measured by the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), calculates doses for fish and seaweed consumption and draws conclusions from this data and doses in respect to short- and longer term consequences for human consumption.
Main results in short:
Nearly all samples of seawater leads to doses from fish consumption via their Iodine-131 and Cesium-134/-137 content above a dose level where statistical health damages occur (1 milliSievert a year or more), even those from farer distances.
The analysis shows that the consumption of a single meal of 100 g fresh seaweed in any case leads to doses above 1 milliSievert due to their high Iodine-131 content and should therefore be avoided.
The paper concludes that the monitoring program for seawater samples should be extended to be sure to include all directions and coastal areas where the contamination in the sea spreads.
Contact:
Gerhard Schmidt
Researcher, Nuclear Engineering & Facility Safety Division
Oeko-Institut e.V., Darmstadt office
Phone: +49 (0)6151 8191-17
Email