Tokyo Electric Power Co. will open floating barriers designed to stop radioactive water escaping into the sea near the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, but expects little effect on the environment.
Tokyo Electric Power Co. will open floating barriers designed to stop radioactive water escaping into the sea near the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, but expects little effect on the environment.
The company said July 11 it will open curtain-like screens called silt fences about 36 times over three months to allow the passage of ships for reinforcement work of a coastal levee.
Highly radioactive water could flow out to sea when the silt fences are opened. The fences are designed to prevent contaminated water from flowing out beyond the levee. It is estimated that 1.2 terabecquerels of radioactive materials remain inside the levee.
But a TEPCO official said the company expects no major pollution because the fences will only be opened for a short period each time and there is another levee offshore.
The company has already informed local governments of the plan.