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- The IAEA Published a Report on “Corroboration of Internal Exposure Monitoring” for Workers as Part of the Review of Safety Related Aspects of Handling ALPS Treated Water
The IAEA Published a Report on “Corroboration of Internal Exposure Monitoring” for Workers as Part of the Review of Safety Related Aspects of Handling ALPS Treated Water
March 25, 2025
On March 24 (local time in Vienna, Austria), the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) published a report on “Corroboration of Internal Exposure Monitoring: Performance of In-Vitro and In-Vivo Radiobioassay” to corroborate the capabilities of occupational radiation protection as part of the review of safety-related aspects of handling ALPS treated water at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings’ (TEPCO's) Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. This report describes the results of interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs) for radiobioassay to assess internal radiation doses and concludes that TEPCO has the capability for accurate measurement of activity in excreta and the human body due to radionuclide intakes by workers.
Summary
On March 24 (local time in Vienna, Austria), the IAEA published a report on “Corroboration of Internal Exposure Monitoring” as part of the review of safety-related aspects of handling ALPS treated water.
The IAEA review consists of (1) the assessment of protection and safety (TEPCO and the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI)), (2) regulatory activities and processes (Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA)), and (3) sampling, independent analysis and data corroboration (IAEA’s verification of monitoring). As part of the activities corresponding to (3), this report presents the results of ILCs and TEPCO’s analytical capabilities for monitoring internal radiation doses of workers involved in handling ALPS treated water.
In these ILCs, the participating laboratories, including the IAEA laboratory and TEPCO, performed bioassays to assess the internal radiation doses. Based on the results of the comparisons of the measured values, the accuracy of the measurements is summarized as the results of ILCs. Specifically, two methods were performed: in-vitro or indirect monitoring (Urine samples which had been spiked with radionuclides for this test were analysed and the activity concentrations were measured) and in-vivo or direct monitoring (A phantom (a human body model) embedded with radionuclides was inspected by whole-body counters and the total activity was measured).
2. Key Points of the Report
- The TEPCO laboratory has demonstrated a high level of accuracy in its measurements and technical competence.
- Analytical procedures follow the appropriate methodological standards required to obtain technically valid results.
3. Participating Laboratories
- The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA Paris-Saclay and CEA Valduc)
- IAEA Radiation Safety Technical Services Laboratory
- TEPCO
4. Response to the IAEA Report
Through the IAEA review, the Government of Japan will continue to take measures in accordance with international safety standards and take all possible measures to ensure the safety of the discharge, including radiation exposure control of workers.
The Government of Japan will also continue to maintain close coordination with the IAEA in sharing information with the international community in a highly transparent manner and fostering better understanding of the safety of the discharge of ALPS treated water within both the domestic and international communities.
Related Links
- The IAEA Press Release (March 24, 2025 (local time in Vienna, Austria))
- The IAEA Report (Corroboration of Internal Exposure Monitoring — Performance of In-Vitro and In-Vivo Radiobioassay)
- The IAEA Published a Report for “Corroboration of Internal Exposure Monitoring” for Workers as Part of the Review of Safety Related Aspects of Handling ALPS Treated Water (November 12, 2024)
- The IAEA Published a Report on IAEA’s Independent Sampling, Data Corroboration, and Analysis Activities from Its Review of Safety Related Aspects of Handling ALPS Treated Water at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (January 4, 2023)
- ALPS portal site [Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry]
- IAEA Website about ALPS treated water
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