Gov't panel discusses contaminated crushed stone used in buildings
TOKYO —
A government panel met on Wednesday to discuss safety standards for crushed stone to be shipped from quarries in Fukushima Prefecture and to require dealers to test their crushed stone for radioactive levels.
The meeting follows the revelation last month that radioactive cesium was detected in a 3-story reinforced concrete condominium built in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. The cesium was detected in concrete made of stones that were left outside at a facility in Namie town within the 20-kilometer evacuation zone around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Crushed stone from the quarry in Namie has been used in the construction of up to 80 buildings and public works projects in Fukushima Prefecture, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Residents in homes with contaminated crushed stone have bee urging Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) to pay compensation.
TEPCO said Wednesday it will wait for the results of an investigation by the government to identify where the tainted crushed stone was used before outlining its proposal for compensation, NHK reported.
An association of quarry agents in Fukushima Prefecture has already asked its members to check the radiation levels of their crushed stone and other building materials to ease public concerns over radioactive contamination.
The company that operates the crushed stone facility said that after the March 11 disaster, it shipped crushed stones to 20 construction firms in Fukushima Prefecture last April and May.
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10 Comments
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0
mitoguitarman
It's a bit late for discussions.
And this: "TEPCO planned review of tsunami risk, but too late"
Seems like in such a critical industry, there should be a lot more discussions BEFORE implementation.
2
kurisupisu
Like many items from Fukushima it is no wonder that there are traces of radioactivity in the stone. Much more worrying is the continued promotion and lax monitoring of such items.
Contamination is still showing up in products all over Japan.
It is inconceivable to imagine that radiation from Fukushima would impact such distant prefectures as Shimane and Okinawa but it has.
Until there are stricter controls and a dedicated overseeing agency then it will sadly continue.
0
SushiSake3
"Fukushima Prefecture and to require dealers to test their crushed stone for radioactive levels."
RadioactivITY levels?
0
Utrack
I was reading about this earlier on ex-skf the "radioactive" crushed stone from the stone pit in Namie-machi. But the bq per kg is mad high. I don't think they should touch that stuff.
2
Samantha Zoe Aso
More panels, more talking, no-one being proactive.
0
Elvensilvan
Another perfect example of Japan's actions in regards to priorities.
Instead of focusing on disaster management and recovery, government officials instead go picture taking on some uninhabited rocks, promote (then later scrap) the GKB47, and other irrelevant issues.
http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/noda-says-govt-will-quickly-identify-sites-using-contaminated-crushed-stone
Yeah, it's been half a month after the government said they will "quickly" do some thing. And after that, TEPCO will make their proposals ... then reviews ... then amendments ... then more reviews.
2
Ben_Jackinoff
Yeah. Just radioactive.
0
tokyokawasaki
Gov't panel discusses... Blah, blah, blah...
Stop f@#king talking and start doing something about it......
Also, TEPCO why wait, are you hoping that the radiation came from somewhere else? Are you hoping to slip and slide away from fixing what YOU broke?
1
noriyosan73
Is this story related to or similar to the steel conspiracy about bridge construction? It sounds famiiar.
1
Ewan Huzarmy
Government panel discusses contaminated crushed stone used in building.....and as usual nobody volunteers to take minutes.
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