Massive Cleaning in Fukushima, Workers Exposed to High Radiation and Stress
ABGX – Massive Cleaning in Fukushima, Workers Exposed to High Radiation and Stress
Fourteen years have passed since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, caused by a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011. While radiation levels in most parts of the plant have significantly decreased, the decontamination efforts remain a monumental challenge. Workers are exposed to extreme radiation levels, enduring both physical and psychological stress in a cleanup process expected to last over a century.
Massive Cleaning in Fukushima
In some areas, workers only need surgical masks and regular clothing. However, those entering the damaged reactor buildings, especially the three severely affected units, require maximum protective gear. They must wear full-face masks with filters, layered gloves, and hooded hazmat suits to reduce exposure risks.
“Read more : Music is Ariana Grande Healing Therapy from Difficult Times“
A major part of the cleanup involves removing at least 880 tons of melted nuclear fuel debris. A remotely operated robot faced several technical failures before successfully retrieving a small fuel fragment from Reactor No. 2 in November. Akira Ono, the decommissioning chief at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO), emphasized that even this tiny sample is invaluable for understanding the melted fuel’s condition.
“Even a small sample provides officials with crucial information about the melted fuel,” Ono stated in an interview with Associated Press on March 12, 2025. However, he stressed that more samples are required before large-scale removal begins in the 2030s.
Working inside the reactors remains highly dangerous. Despite extensive decontamination efforts, radiation levels in Reactor No. 2 remain alarmingly high. To minimize exposure, workers can only stay inside for 15 to 30 minutes before rotating shifts.
“Working under such high radiation levels makes us feel anxious and rushed,” said Yasunobu Yokokawa, a team leader on the mission. “It is an extremely difficult task.”
The full-face masks obstruct visibility and make breathing harder, while waterproof jackets cause excessive sweating. Additionally, layered gloves restrict finger movements, making precise tasks even more challenging. Workers must also wrap their gloves and socks to reduce radiation exposure while carrying personal dosimeters to monitor radiation intake.
“Read more : Musicalization Inspiration of Friendship Poem, the Story of a True Friend“
Beyond radiation exposure, technical setbacks have also posed significant challenges. One mission was delayed when workers discovered a misassembled set of five pipes intended for robot deployment. The robot’s camera also malfunctioned due to extreme radiation and had to be replaced.
Despite these obstacles, TEPCO insists that radiation exposure among workers remains within the five-year limit of 100 millisieverts. However, a survey of 5,500 workers indicates growing concerns about safety and long-term health effects. In 2023, two workers suffered burns from radioactive sludge splashes at a water treatment facility.
To reduce radiation exposure, TEPCO has introduced several strategies, including remotely operated cranes and pre-assembled components. However, major hurdles remain, particularly in removing melted fuel from Reactor No. 3. Experts predict that the first attempts to retrieve small samples must be completed before large-scale removal can begin.
Hiroshi Ide, a senior worker and Fukushima disaster survivor, hopes the decommissioning process is executed with utmost care. “As a Fukushima resident, I want to ensure that decommissioning is done properly so people can return home without fear,” Ide stated.
The Japanese government and TEPCO aim to complete the cleanup by 2051. However, given ongoing technical difficulties and delays, many experts believe the process could extend beyond a century. The Fukushima cleanup is not just a technical challenge but also a test of resilience for the workers dedicated to restoring Japan’s most significant nuclear disaster site.
For further updates on the Fukushima cleanup process, visit ABGX or abgx.net.