Japan started releasing the nuclear-contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean on Thursday, sparking public fears of radiation.
Hours before Japan began dumping the contaminated water, high environmental radiation levels were recorded near the plant. At a distance of 1.5 kilometers from the nuclear power plant, a reporter from China Media Group (CMG) recorded high radiation levels of 1.7 microsieverts per hour (µSv/h).
The global average of radiation present in the natural environment ranges from 0.17 to 0.39 µSv/hr, according to the World Nuclear Association. Also, a report published in the journal Physics in Nuclear Medicine said that for individual members of the public, radiation levels in unrestricted areas should deliver a radiation dose of less than 0.5 µSv/hr, assuming continuous occupation of the area.
High radiation levels of 1.7 microsieverts per hour were recorded near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. /CMG
The radiation levels of 1.7 µSv/h detected near the nuclear plant are undoubtedly above the safety levels.
"The radiation hazard meter keeps ringing, indicating that we are in an unsafe environment for nuclear radiation," said the reporter.
(Cover: An aerial photo shows Fukushima's contaminated water being released from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean on August 24, 2023 in Japan. /CFP)
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