A significant leak of 25 tonnes of radioactive water has been detected within the spent nuclear fuel cooling pool of Reactor Unit 2 at the Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, China Media Group (CMG) reported on Tuesday.
TEPCO has assured the public that the nuclear-contaminated water has not breached the plant's containment and that the cooling system for the nuclear fuel remains operational. This assurance aims to maintain trust and prevent panic among the local and global communities concerned about nuclear safety.
To determine the precise location of the leak and understand its underlying cause, TEPCO plans to deploy robotic equipment for a thorough inspection scheduled for this week. These robotic tools are essential in navigating the complex environment of the nuclear plant to gather accurate data without exposing humans to potential radiation risks.
Previously, on August 9, TEPCO announced that equipment related to the spent fuel pool of Reactor Unit 2 had malfunctioned. As a precautionary measure, the cooling system for the spent fuel pool was subsequently halted while investigations into the cause of the malfunction commenced. This proactive approach highlights TEPCO's commitment to safety and transparency in managing nuclear operations.
The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant has been under close scrutiny since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which led to a major nuclear disaster. Ongoing incidents like the current leak underscore the challenges of managing nuclear waste and ensuring long-term safety measures are effectively implemented.
Reference(s):
Fukushima nuclear plant detects 25 tonnes of radioactive water leak
cgtn.com
