Radioactive debris to be shipped all over Japan.
October 29, 2011 in Uncategorized
A large portion of that waste is going to be transferred to Tokyo, according to a recent report by The Mainichi Daily News (Oct27), a move that some are concerned may result in additional environmental and human harm. Rubble will begin shipping from Nov 2.
The massive amount of wrecked vehicles, destroyed homes and structures that were generated in eastern Japan after the 9.0+ earthquake and tsunami is simply too much for local processing facilities to handle. Reports indicate that some coastal areas generated as much as 4.35 million metric tons of waste each from the disaster, and local facilities are running far short of intended capacity in meeting the central government’s processing and disposal deadline.
After discussing the issue with various local authorities, officials in Tokyo have agreed to accept roughly 500,000 metric tons of this waste at its local facility, which it plans to gradually dispose of over a two-and-a-half year period. About 1,000 tons of it are already set to be transported by freight train to processing facilities near Tokyo, where it will either be burned or buried depending on its contamination level. Tokyo authorities say they will continually monitor the imported waste to make sure it does not exceed the 8,000 Bq/kg maximum limit set by the national government. In a recent sample taken, authorities detected only 133 Bq/kg of radioactive cesium in ash left over from rubble incineration at one location, which is well below the maximum limit.
There is a petition circulating urging the govt to reverse its decision, here;
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