One of the major problems is the radioactive water – every day over the molten nuclear fuel 300 tons of water is poured for cooling down to prevent nuclear reactions. After use this water is stored in huge containers – in order to be able to be cleared out of radioactive elements. In spite of the measures taken radioactive waters are poured out into the ocean.
On the other side acute problem are the subterranean waters which go through the Fukushima nuclear power station and get polluted before flowing into the ocean. Proper and effective decisions are still sought for limiting the access of these waters to the area of the plant.
The measures undertaken for clearing out of the radiation in the polluted areas so far just move the radiation from one place to another.
“The nuclear power is too dangerous and full of unresolved problems so that we could not continue to use it. There are already other energy sources which do not threaten the human life. Japan decommissioned all its reactors, but the catastrophe in one nuclear power station fully destroyed a whole region and the fate of hundreds of thousands people”, stated Denitsa Petrova from “Greenpeace” – Bulgaria.
The price of the nuclear calamity till now is evaluated to the amount of 257 billion dollars by a Japan governmental commission. But in this price is not included the loss of the occupation of the local people – farmers, fishermen. Some sources calculate that only the price for purchase of the polluted lands will be around 52 billion dollars.
Still about 120 000 people cannot go back to their home places. Research shows that 37,5% of the evacuated people have refused to go back to their old life and more so are “unsure” about what to do for the future.
“Fukushima is one more example that there is no such thing as nuclear safety. At the moment of the disaster the paper contingency plans do not work well at all. Before working for new reactors in Bulgaria we should answer the question could we deal with a nuclear disaster, could we pay its heavy environmental and social price”, comments Todor Todorov from “For the Earth” Association.
Notes
(1) in English:
Japan's nuclear crisis - state of the nuclear power station Fukushima Daiichi
The impact of Fukushima - accelaration of the decline of the nuclear industry
Video clip: Do not forget Fukushima