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  5. IAEA Published Results for First Interlaboratory Comparison on the Determination of Radionuclides in ALPS Treated Water

IAEA Published Results for First Interlaboratory Comparison on the Determination of Radionuclides in ALPS Treated Water

June 1, 2023

On May 31, the IAEA published the results of the first interlaboratory comparison on the determination of radionuclides in ALPS treated water.  This interlaboratory comparison was performed in connection with the IAEA’s review of the safety of the handling of ALPS treated water at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, which began in 2021. This technical report describes the results of this interlaboratory comparison and includes a detailed assessment of the performance of the participating laboratories, such as TEPCO.

1. Summary

On May 31, the IAEA published a report under its Review of Safety Related Aspects of Handling ALPS treated water. The published technical report focuses on the IAEA’s independent sampling, data corroboration, and analysis activities under the overall safety review.  These activities one of the main three pillars of the review with the other two being: [1] safety of ALPS treated water, and [2] regulatory activities and processes.
An analysis was performed by the IAEA laboratories and third-party laboratories, selected by the IAEA, on samples of ALPS-treated water taken in the presence of the IAEA. The report shows the data and comparison of results from each laboratory.

2. Key Points of the Report

Based on the following results, the IAEA concludes that TEPCO has the ability to analyze ALPS treated water accurately and precisely. In addition, the IAEA concludes that TEPCO has demonstrated that they have a sustainable and robust analytical system in place to support the ongoing technical needs at FDNPS during the discharge of ALPS treated water.
 ⅰ. TEPCO has demonstrated a high-level accuracy in their measurements and technical competence.
 ⅱ. TEPCO's sample collection procedures follow the appropriate methodological standards required to obtain representative samples.
 ⅲ. The selected analytical methods utilized by TEPCO for different radionuclides were appropriate and fit for purpose.
 ⅳ. Neither the IAEA, nor the participating third-party laboratories, detected any additional radionuclides (i.e., radionuclides beyond what is included in the source term) at significant levels.

Participating Laboratories

IAEA

The Third-Party Laboratories

3. Response to the IAEA Report

As a result of the IAEA’s safety review, the Government of Japan will continue to take measures in accordance with international safety standards and take all possible measures to ensure safety. 
The ministry economy trade and industry [METI] will promote efforts to discharge treated water into the ocean using the results of the review by the IAEA, safety is the main premise.
 
[Reference] About the IAEA Review
  • In April 2021, the government of Japan published a basic policy of releasing ALPS-treated water from the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean. The government of Japan formally requested the IAEA to conduct a review mission on the safety of ALPS-treated water, etc. In July of the same year, the government of Japan and the IAEA signed the terms of reference (ToR), agreed to implement the review about: [1] Assessment of Protection and Safety, [2] Regulatory Activities and Processes, [3] Independent Sampling, Data Corroboration and Analysis.

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Nuclear Accident Response Office, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy

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