Our Journey to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, we looked at the history of the plant and the operators of the plant from the Tokyo Electric Power Country (TEPCO) and their reactions, and attempts to stop the nuclear catastrophe which fell through due to the failings of the power to allow the reactors to cool. Facing the workers from TEPCO and the regret many of the workers felt after the incident that caused many to be relocated from their livelihoods and homes felt very sad as we took a look at the damage the incident tolled on the prefecture communities.
As we passed many dilapidated homes and abandoned buildings, we can see how much the people of Fukushima lost due to the incident. I could fear the fear of getting close to the reactors as the quantity of microsieverts rose as we drove closer to the reactors that melted down twelve years ago. Before that we were required to wear vests to measure our exposure rate as we got close to the reactors as being in the area too long would be dangerous for humans to handle the radioactive material being in the environment. As we got closer, we could see the area becoming more desolate from human activity besides the officials cleaning up the radioactive material from the reactor environment.
As we entered the reactor area by the sea, climbing up the stairs to the catwalk overlooking the cleanup effort, we took notice of the damage the reactor structures sustained from the earthquake, tsunami, and meltdown as the structures were dilapidated from these events. We were told that after the meltdown, radioactive gaseous chemicals leaked into the air, which caused the evacuation orders in Fukushima prefecture to be implemented causing the mass evacuations and displacement of citizens not able to go back to their homes in the area. We could a last see the cleanup take place currently twelve years after the events of the incident and will take many more years for cleanup to be complete by the Japanese government’s orders. The nuclear debris in the reactors are still being steadily removed and disposed of as careful planning and operations take place currently. The guide then later pointed out the new structures being built around the ruined reactor structure in order to safely remove the radioactive material from the reactor.
Leaving that area, we were then guided to see how the company and government planned on safely removing the water by releasing it to the sea. They showed us a sealed bottle on the table which help water that was being tested on its safety to be released into the ocean. Using several test methods of cleaning the radioactive materials from the irradiated water, we saw several examples that showed water being yellowish and then another example being clear as normal water. The method was to dilute the tritium from the water in order for the water to reach Japan’s safe drinking standards and then let it be released back into the water.
After the tour, we were guided to these machines that test our radioactive exposure in order for us to leave the area safely without any health effects of being at the plant too long. The process was to observe these pocket radioactive detectors in these vests we wore to the plant. We were sadly not allowed to bring any personal items to the plant as they would possibly become contaminated by being close to the reactor sites. On our way back we could again see the ruined homes and businesses left behind by Fukushima locals still being contaminated and taped off from the public.
After returning to the museum of the incident, it was explained that the exterior architecture resembled western style buildings to give ode to the scientists and researchers responsible for nuclear research by making replica exteriors of their homes in the West. After getting back, we toured the museum which showed us visually how the incident took place. We saw a diagram of the control room and a corresponding video of how the workers in the plant reacted to the earthquake that took place in the Tohoku region of Japan. The response was shown as the workers failed to plan for this incident which caused the cooling system to fail due to the power failure from the earthquake and tsunami. They also had some of the replica and empty fuel rods on display as they gave and example of what the reactor looked like. The use of newly developed technologies such as robots to remove radioactive material was also very interesting as cleanup continues and planning will take years to complete.
Looking back on this tour, I felt very concerned for my safety to be in close vicinity of the nuclear plants and the possible outcome that I could be exposed to high doses of nuclear radiation. Watching the exposure counter increase was a very concerning moment as I felt concern for my health entering the vicinity of the sites. I also felt very sad to know that people were expected to move out of their homes and give up their livelihoods so suddenly due to human error and poor planning for catastrophe. Looking back on this experience, I thought this was very valuable to think about in a public health perspective and see how radioactive incidents can have a very harsh effect on human health and can effect more factors of human living, especially in a clean and industrious place like Japan. It also gave another perspective to what happened during the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and how people reacted to the natural disaster and how it affected the people of Fukushima prefecture.