Article Written By: Hyeyun Song
Eight years have passed since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster that took place on March 11th, 2011 in Japan. It was an energy catastrophe that initially began with a tsunami and the Tohoku earthquake. Although the active reactors shut down the fission reaction automatically, the powerful tsunami overwhelmed the emergency generators. The eventual damage cooled down the reactors; hence, why the enormous hydrogen-air explosion occurred, three nuclear reactors melted down, and radioactive materials were released, killing approximately 19,000 individuals.
At the reactor site, contaminated buildings are being cleared and minimization of radiation levels are being seen up until this day. Recently, the cleanup reached a point where workers started removing nuclear fuel rods for disposal. Nevertheless, due to the consequences of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, it will presumably take decades to recover the city perfectly.
Currently, thousands are living in temporary housing provided by the government. Even though some of the residents returned to nearby villages, around 100,000 former citizens of Fukushima were not able to return. Besides, the groundwater flows through contaminated places meaning that radioactive materials, serving as basements, are spread. Countless environmentalists are concerned about the radioactive water freely flowing to the sea, which will eventually cause severe water pollution and the death of sea animals. Nuclear fuel is another hazardous substance for human beings. Consequently, when workers are working around the sites and becoming exposed to radiation, they must immediately stop working.
One of the extremest accident has seriously influenced Japan. To clean up and recover everything, it will take a long time and will cost over 400 billion dollars. Despite environments being damaged, due to the ‘Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident’, it is imperative that people work arduously to bring back the stainless environment.
Bibliography (MLA 8 FORMAT):
Website Citations:
Website 1:
Martin, James. “We Visited the Fukushima Daiichi Nuke Plant to See How the Cleanup Is Progressing.” CNET, CNET, 4 Mar. 2019, www.cnet.com/news/inside-fukushima-daiichi-nuclear-power-station-nuclear-reactor-meltdown/.
Website 2:
Takenaka, Kiyoshi. “Eight Years on, Water Woes Threaten Fukushima Cleanup.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 11 Mar. 2019, www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-nuclear-water/eight-years-on-water-woes-threaten-fukushima-cleanup-idUSKCN1QP0MA.
Photo Citations:
Photo 1:
Marshall, Michael. “Why Fukushima Daiichi Won't Be Another Chernobyl.” New Scientist, 17 Mar. 2011, www.newscientist.com/article/dn20257-why-fukushima-daiichi-wont-be-another-chernobyl/.
Photo 2:
Muramatsu, Susumu, and Kazunari Hanawa. “Seven Years on, No End in Sight for Fukushima's Long Recovery.” Nikkei Asian Review, Nikkei Asian Review, 10 Mar. 2018, asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Seven-years-on-no-end-in-sight-for-Fukushima-s-long-recovery.