The release of treated Fukushima nuclear wastewater into the sea starting Aug. 24 has once again raised concerns about seafood consumption. Dr. Yen Tzung-Hai, director of the Toxicology Laboratory at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou, Taiwan, explained in the Epoch Times’ “Health 1+1” program that tritium in nuclear wastewater is not harmful to the human body. However, continuous monitoring is required to ensure radioactive elements such as strontium-90 and cesium-137, which have carcinogenic risks, are removed in the treatment process. He also cautioned the public to be careful when consuming deep-sea large fish, as methylmercury poisoning from these fish can affect the central nervous system, and there is no antidote.
Japanese authorities announced that after undergoing treatment with the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), the nuclear wastewater to be discharged into the sea has had all radioactive substances removed except for tritium, which is present at concentrations of less than 1,500 becquerels per liter. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has also stated that it agrees with Japan’s plan to discharge the treated nuclear wastewater into the sea, emphasizing that the discharge plan complies with international standards. However, the public remains concerned about potentially harmful substances in the nuclear wastewater.
