The Nuclear Accident in Japan:

Impacts on Fish
Releases to the Environment
As explained by the Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio
Edano, the longer this continues, the more radioactive
particles will be released and the greater the impact on the
ocean.
5
To clear the way for workers and create more storage
room for highly radioactive water, TEPCO pumped ap-
proximately 3 million gallons of water contaminated with
ov-eve ruduton nto the lucc Cceun.
6
The water that
was dumped contains about 100 times the legal limit of
radiation, while the highly contaminated water remaining
in the plant contains 10,000 times the legal limit.
7

On April 2, 2011 workers discovered a nearly eight-inch-
long crack in the side of a pit holding water in reactor two
at the plant
8
and found that radioactive water leaking from
the cruck vus runnng drecty nto the lucc Cceun.
9

It is estimated that 1,680 gallons of highly radioactive
water rushed out of the crack every hour, directly into the
ocean.
10
On April 5, 2011 attempts to plug the leak were
reported to be successful.
11
Several types of radioactive materials are being released
into the environment from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi
plant. The different types of radioactive material degrade at
various rates; some persist in the environment longer than
others.
12
Degradation of radioactive material is measured
using its half-life, which is the time it takes for half of the
material to degrade.
13
Radioactive iodine (iodine-131) has
W
hen an earthquake and subsequent tsunami devastated Japans northeastern
coast on March 11, 2011, a nuclear crisis began unfolding at the Tokyo Electric
Power Companys (TEPCO) Fukushima Daiichi plant.
1
The Japanese government
estimates it could be several months before the cooling systems, damaged by the
natural disasters, are fully functional.
2
In an effort to thwart a nuclear meltdown at
the plant while the cooling system is damaged, hundreds of tons of water has been
sprayed into four of the six reactors to cool fuel rods and spent fuel.
3
The radioactive
water is pooling in various locations around the plant, inhibiting work to bring the
damaged cooling systems back into operation.
4

Fact Sheet + April 2011
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a half-life of eight days.
14
Radioactive cesium (cesium-137)
has a half-life of 30 years.
15

Scientists are voicing concern about the potential long-
term impacts from the cesium-137 being released from the
plant, as well as the risk that contact with the most con-
taminated water would lead to immediate injury.
16
One
expert, Kenya Mizuguchi, professor emeritus of Maritime
Science and Technology at Tokyo University, said, Were
seeing the levels of radioactive materials in the water in-
crease, which means this problem is going to continue
to get worse and worse.
17
No Safe Level
While much of the coverage of the impacts from the
nuclear disaster are accompanied by reassurances about
low levels of exposure, there is no safe level of radiation
exposure. The full impact of the Japanese nuclear crisis re-
mains to be seen, but the health risks posed by radioactive
contamination are well-documented. In 2006, the National
Acudemes o Scence ssued u dentve report on rudu-
tion exposure that concluded that even low levels of radia-
tion can cause human health problems, including cancer,
and called for further investigation on potential links be-
tween low-level radiation exposure and heart disease and
immune disorders.
18
Children are especially susceptible to
the impact of foodborne exposure to radioactive materials,
making safeguards for food and water particularly critical.
19
Radiation in Fish
A no-shng zone hus been estubshed or l2 mes uround
the plant.
20
Contumnuted sh huve been ound ubout 50
miles from the plant.
21
On March 29, 2011, a low level of
cesum-l37 vus detected n sh cuught rom u port n the
Chiba prefecture, south of Fukushima.
22
On April 1, 2011,
before the proposed 3 million gallons of low-level radioac-
tve vuter vus dumped nto the lucc Cceun, u smu sh
was caught approximately 40 miles from the plant with
unsafe levels of iodine-131 and cesium-137.
23
Radiation and Marine Life
ln uddton to sh, other murne e cun be uected by
radiation. A 2000 study investigating radioactive material
in seaweed found traces of cesium-137 in two samples
one from Norway and the other from Japan.
24
The authors
of this study indicated that these levels might be a product
of the radiation discharged from Chernobyl, 14 years after
the accident.
25
Some algae have been shown to accumu-
late radioactive iodine and technetium,
26
a metal that is a
byproduct of nuclear reactors. The United States imported
over 1.2 million pounds of seaweed and algae from Japan
in 2010.
27
The accumulated level of cesium-137 in muscle tissue of
whales has been used to trace the migratory patterns of
individual animals.
28
In an animal weighing six tons, ce-
sium-137 is likely to have a biological half-life of at
least six months.
29
Knowing this biological half-life, re-
searchers are able to determine where an individual animal
has traveled and eaten prey from contaminated waters.
30
Food Chain Accumulation
Direct contact with water is a factor in the uptake of radio-
active material for all seafood. But in addition to taking up
rudouctvty rom the vuter, curnvorous sh uso ngest the
rudouctvty rom the bodes o the smuer prey sh they
eut. 1he hgher up on the ood chun u sh s, the more
these contumnuted prey sh cun ncreuse the rudouctve
material in its body.
31
The discovery of radioactive material
n prey sh, such us the sund unce, n vuters neur the uc-
cdent ste uso ruses concern ubout speces o sh thut ure
higher up the food chain, like tuna.
32
A 200l study nvestgutng mungrove snupper (u ood sh
native to Japan that is high on the food chain
33
) showed
that cesium-137 could be accumulated up the food chain,
resulting in higher concentration of cesium-137 in the
predutor sh thun n the surroundng vuters.
34

Fish can expel radioactive material over time.
35
Ce-
sium-137 can be retained in the muscle tissue of a living
murne sh or 37 to 203 duys, ths s reerred to us the
biological retention half-life.
36
The range in biological
retention half-life may be attributed to the temperature of
the vuter n vhch u sh resdes.
37
l u sh s cuught und
killed for market, it will not be able to expel the radioac-
tive materials in the biological half-life timeframe and the
cesium will break down as it would in the environment,
with a 30-year half-life.
Standards
On April 5, 2011, the Japanese government established
ruduton stundurds or sh or the rst tme.
38
The new
mts or sh ure the sume us the mts estubshed or
vegetables.
39
1he government set these mts uter sh
from several locations were found to have detectable
levels of radiation.
40
1he sh thut vere cuught on Apr 5,
2011, before the new regulations were established, would
huve quued us unsue or consumpton under the nev
standard.
41

The U.S. Response
In 2010, the United States imported 35.5 million pounds
of seafood from Japan.
42
On March 22, 2011, the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) issued an import alert regarding
all milk, milk products, fresh vegetables and fruits pro-
duced or manufactured from the region near the nuclear
plant, which means these products cannot enter the United
States.
43
The FDA has said it will test seafood from the
region near the plant, but has not barred seafood from
entering the country.
44
Unfortunately, the FDA inspects 2
percent of imported seafood on average every year,
45
call-
ing into question how thorough the agencys checks for
radiation can be.
Recommendations
The FDA should immediately ban all food (including
seafood) and water imports from Japan, expanding on the
FDAs original step of restricting imports of milk and pro-
duce from the region near the accident site.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
and FDA work together to be sure that seafood caught in
United States and international waters is free of radioactive
contamination. Data generated by any monitoring program
should be made public.
Congress should provide adequate funding for the seafood
inspection, both at home and abroad, instead of attempting
to cut funding to both the United States Department of Ag-
riculture and the FDA, which would weaken their ability to
meet their current obligations, even without the additional
burden posed by this nuclear accident.
Endnotes
1 Foster, Malcolm and Nakashima, Ryan. Sea radiation is another blow to
}upun's shermen. Associated Press. April 5, 2011.
2 Yamaguchi, Mari and Kageyama, Yuri. Search for radiation leak desperate in
Japan. Associated Press. April 4, 2011.
3 Tabuchi, Hiroko and Belson, Ken. Japan Releases Low-Level Radioactive
Water Into Ocean. The New York Times. April 4, 2011.
4 Yamaguchi, Mari and Kageyama, Yuri. Search for radiation leak turns desper-
ate in Japan. Associated Press. April 4, 2011.
5 Yamaguchi, Mari and Kageyama, Yuri. Search for radiation leak turns desper-
ate in Japan. Associated Press. April 4, 2011.
6 Dorell, Oren. Japan plant pumps radioactive water into ocean. USA TODAY.
April 5, 2011.
7 Tabuchi, Hiroko and Belson, Ken. Japan Releases Low-Level Radioactive
Water Into Ocean. The New York Times. April 4, 2011.
8 Updates of 2 April 2011 at International Atomic Energy Agency Fukushima
Nuclear Accident Update Log. Available at http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/
news/tsunamiupdate01.html
9 Updates of 2 April 2011 at International Atomic Energy Agency Fukushima
Nuclear Accident Update Log. Available at http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/
news/tsunamiupdate01.html
10 Tabuchi, Hiroko and Belson, Ken. Japan Releases Low-Level Radioactive
Water Into Ocean. The New York Times. April 4, 2011.
11 Japan nuke plant plugs highly radioactive leak. Associated Press. April 5,
2011.
12 EPA. Radiation Protection Half-Life. Available at http://www.epa.gov/
rpdveb00/understund/hue.htm Accessed April 2, 2011.
13 EPA. Radiation Protection Half-Life. Available at http://www.epa.gov/
rpdveb00/understund/hue.htm Accessed April 2, 2011.
14 EPA. Radiation Protection Iodine. Available at http://www.epa.gov/rpd-
web00/radionuclides/iodine.html Accessed April 2, 2011.
15 EPA. Radiation Protection Cesium. Available at http://www.epa.gov/rpd-
web00/radionuclides/cesium.html Accessed April 2, 2011.
16 Japan sets new radiation safety level for seafood. Associated Press. April 5,
2011.
17 Tabuchi, Hiroko and Belson, Ken. Japan Releases Low-Level Radioactive
Water Into Ocean. The New York Times. April 4, 2011.
18 National Academies of Science. Board on Radiation Effects Research. Health
Risks from Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation: BEIR VII Phase 2.
2006 at 6, 8, 10 and 151.
l9 Lnted Nutons Scentc Commttee on the Lects o Atomc Ruduton. 1he
Chernobyl accident, UNSCEARs assessment of the radiation effects. Available
at http://www.unscear.org/unscear/en/chernobyl.html und on e. Accessed
March 31, 2011.
20 Radiation levels in seawater off Japan plant spike to all-time highs. CNN.
March 31, 2011.
21 Japan sets new radiation safety level for seafood. Associated Press. April 5,
2011.
22 Updates of 29 March 2011 at International Atomic Energy Agency Fukushima
Nuclear Accident Update Log. Available at http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/
news/tsunamiupdate01.html
23 Pollack, Andrew et al. Company Says Radioactive Water Leak at Japan Plant Is
Plugged. The New York Times. April 5, 2011.
24 Netten, C van et al. Elemental and radioactive analysis of commercially
available seaweed. The Science of the Total Environment. vol. 255. 2000 at
173-174.
25 Netten, C van et al. Elemental and radioactive analysis of commercially
available seaweed. The Science of the Total Environment. vol. 255 2000 at
173-174.
26 Updates of 29 March 2011 at International Atomic Energy Agency Fukushima
Nuclear Accident Update Log. Available at http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/
news/tsunamiupdate01.html
27 U.S. Department of Agriculture. Foreign Agriculture Service. Available at www.
fas.usda.gov accessed March 2011.
28 Born, Erik, et al. Regional variation of caesium-137 in minke whales Balae-
noptera acutorostrata from West Greenland, the Northeast Atlantic and the
North Sea. Polar Biology. vol. 25, 2000 at 908.
29 Born, Erik et al. Regional variation of caesium-137 in minke whales Balaenop-
tera acutorostrata from West Greenland, the Northeast Atlantic and the North
Sea. Polar Biology. vol. 25, 2000 at 909.
30 Born, Erik et al. Regional variation of caesium-137 in minke whales Balaenop-
tera acutorostrata from West Greenland, the Northeast Atlantic and the North
Sea. Polar Biology. vol. 25, 2000 at 907.
3l Zhuo, Xguung et u. omugncuton o rudocesum n u murne pscvorous
sh. Marine Ecology Progress Series. vol. 222, November 5, 2001 at 227.
32 Fishermen wary of rumor mill / Worry lack of information could lead to
doubts about seafood safety. The Daily Yomiuri. April 4, 2011.
Rudouctve odne ound n some }upunese sh. Seafood Source. April 5,
2011.
Zhuo, Xguung et u. omugncuton o rudocesum n u murne pscvorous
sh. Marine Ecology Progress Series. vol. 222, November 5, 2001 at 227.
Japan Nuke Crisis: Is Our Seafood Safe? [Television broadcast] Good Morn-
ing America. ABC. April 6, 2011.
33 Lutjanus argentimaculatus, Mangrove red snapper. FishBase. Available at
http://shbuse.org/seurch.php Accessed April 1, 2011.
34 Zhuo, Xguung et u. omugncuton o rudocesum n u murne pscvorous
sh. Marine Ecology Progress Series. vol. 222, November 5, 2001 at 227-228
and 235.
35 Zhuo, Xguung et u. omugncuton o rudocesum n u murne pscvorous
sh. Marine Ecology Progress Series. vol. 222, November 5, 2001 at 227-
228.
36 Zhuo, Xguung et u. omugncuton o rudocesum n u murne pscvorous
sh. Marine Ecology Progress Series. vol. 222, November 5, 2001 at 234.
37 Kasamatsu, Fuijio and Ishikawa, Yusuke. Natural variation of radionuclide 137
Cs concentration in marine organisms with special reference to the effect of
food habits and trophic level. Marine Ecology Progress Series. vol. 160. 1997
at 118.
38 Japan sets new radiation safety level for seafood. Associated Press. April 5,
2011.
39 Japan sets new radiation safety level for seafood. Associated Press. April 5,
2011.
40 Rudouctve odne ound n some }upunese sh. Seafood Source. April 5,
2011.
Japan sets new radiation safety level for seafood. Associated Press. April 5,
2011.
41 Japan sets new radiation safety level for seafood. Associated Press. April 5,
2011.
42 U.S. Department of Agriculture. Foreign Agriculture Service. Available at www.
fas.usda.gov accessed March 2011.
43 Food and Drug Administration. News & Events - Radiation Safety. Updates
April 2, 2011. Available at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/
ucm247403.htm
44 Food and Drug Administration. News & Events - Radiation Safety. Updates
April 2, 2011. Available at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/
ucm247403.htm
45 Lnted Stutes Covernment Accountubty Cce. lDA lrogrum Chunges und
Better Collaboration among Key Federal Agencies Could Improve Detection
and Prevention. (GAO-09-258). February 2009 at 19.
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