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Radioactive waste in the ocean – who sets the safety standards?
03:51

The ocean has been used by humans as a disposal ground for radioactive waste for a long time. In April this year, the Tokyo Electric Power Company announced it planned to dump more than 1.25 million tons of nuclear water from its crippled Fukushima power plant into the sea.   

Safety standards on releasing Japan's nuclear water have not been set and international organizations have not yet reached an agreement. Should the International Atomic Energy Agency – the UN nuclear watchdog – be the one to make the call? 

Just keep in mind, as UNCLOS notes: the ocean is the common heritage of mankind.

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