The Japanese Government has provided the IAEA with a report that summarizes the events and highlights the progress related to recovery operations at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The IAEA provided its assessments, which are contained in full at the end of the report.
Management of Typhoon No. 19 (Hagibis)
The IAEA acknowledges the efforts that have been made by Japan for preventing leakage of contaminated water as a result of Typhoon No. 19. The IAEA notes the absence of consequence on the air dose rate and water quality in the areas around the TSS following Typhoon No. 19.
Storage of ALPS treated water
The IAEA acknowledges the updated information and refers to the first advisory point provided in the 4th IAEA Fukushima Daiichi Peer Review Mission3: “a decision on the disposition path for the stored ALPS treated water containing tritium and other radionuclides, after further treatment as needed, must be taken urgently, engaging all stakeholders, to ensure the sustainability of the decommissioning activities and of the safe and effective implementation of other risk reduction measures.”
Fuel removal from Units 1 and 3
The IAEA notes the ongoing progress towards fuel removal from the Units 1 and 3 for storage on the site. The IAEA also notes the commitment of Japan that all activities related to fuel removal are implemented with safety as the highest priority.
Dismantling of the Unit 1 – Unit 2 common exhaust stack
The IAEA acknowledges the progress of the dismantling work of the upper half of the exhaust stack common to Unit 1 and Unit 2.
Sea area monitoring results
Based on the information provided by Japan, no significant changes were observed in the monitoring results for seawater, sediment and marine biota during the period covered by this report. The levels of radioactivity measured by Japan in the marine environment remain consistently low. For the purpose of public reassurance, the IAEA encourages the continuation of sea area monitoring.
Sea area monitoring data quality assurance
On the basis of the results available from previous proficiency tests and interlaboratory comparison exercises, it can be concluded that Japanese laboratories monitoring seawater, marine sediment and fish from near the Fukushima Daiichi NPS produce reliable data.
The IAEA considers that the extensive data quality assurance programme helps to build confidence of the stakeholders in the accuracy and quality of the sea area monitoring data.
Food products
Based on the information provided by Japan, food restrictions continue to be revised and updated as necessary in line with food monitoring results. This indicates continued vigilance of the authorities in Japan and their commitment to protecting consumers and trade. The situation with regard to the safety of the food supply, fishery and agricultural production continues to remain stable. Monitoring food, appropriate regulatory action and public communication are helping to maintain confidence in the safety of the food supply.
The IAEA notes that the assessed effective radiation dose to consumers from radiocaesium (Cs-134 and Cs-137) in food (on average less than 0.0011 mSv/year) is less than 0.1 percent of the 1 mSv/year dose criterion for food specified in International Basic Safety Standards1/.
Based on the information that has been made available, the Joint FAO/IAEA Division understands that measures to monitor and respond to issues regarding radionuclide contamination of food are appropriate, and that the food supply chain is controlled effectively by the relevant authorities.
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1/ Requirement 51 of EUROPEAN COMMISSION, FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS, INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION, OECD NUCLEAR ENERGY AGENCY, PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION, UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards, IAEA Safety Standards Series No. GSR Part 3, IAEA, Vienna (2014).