A small radioactive water leak occurred Tuesday at Japan’s decommissioned Fugen nuclear reactor in Fukui Prefecture, raising eyebrows but causing no immediate harm. Here’s what you need to know:
Leak Details & Safety Measures
Around 3 p.m. local time, 20 milliliters of water containing tritium—a radioactive isotope—leaked from a pipe during dismantling work. The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) confirmed no radiation exposure to the three workers onsite or the surrounding environment. Monitoring posts showed normal radiation levels outside the facility 🟢.
Why It Matters
While tritium levels inside the demolition zone exceeded safety limits, officials stress the leak was contained quickly. The Fugen reactor, once a key research site for Japan’s nuclear fuel recycling program, stopped operations in 2003 and began decommissioning in 2008. This incident highlights the challenges of aging nuclear infrastructure 🏗️⚡.
What’s Next?
JAEA has reported the leak to Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority. Experts say such events, though rare, underscore the need for rigorous safety protocols as more reactors worldwide reach end-of-life phases 🌍🔬.
