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

1. Summary

On January 30, the IAEA published a report under its Review of Safety Related Aspects of Handling ALPS treated water. The published 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 taken from tanks used for the storage of ALPS-treated water, etc. in the presence of the IAEA in October 2022. The report shows the data and comparison of results from each laboratory.
This report is the second report following the report on the first interlaboratory comparison on the determination of radionuclides in ALPS treated water published in May 2023.

2. Key Findings of the Report

Based on the following results, the IAEA concluded that TEPCO has the capability to undertake accurate and precise measurements related to the discharge of ALPS treated water and 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 detection limits reported by TEPCO indicate that analytical methods selected were appropriate and fit for purpose. The reported detection limits were less than 1% of the respective regulatory limits for all radionuclides included in TEPCO’s source term.

Participating Laboratories

IAEA

・Marine Research Institute [Monaco]
・Institute of Terrestrial Environmental Radiochemistry [Seibersdorf, Austria]
・Isotope and Hydrology Laboratory [Vienna, Austria]

The Third-Party Laboratories

・Korea Nuclear Safety Institute [Korea]

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 regarding the discharge of treated water into the ocean using the results of the review by the IAEA, safety is the main premise.

Related Links

• The IAEA Press Release (January 30, 2024)
• IAEA Report (Second 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)
• ALPS portal site [Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry]
• IAEA Website about ALPS treated water

Division in Charge

Nuclear Accident Response Office, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy