Tokyo to begin incinerating tsunami debris after test burn ash deemed 'below legal limit'
TOKYO —
A self-governing body in Tokyo which was tasked with carrying out a test incineration of radioactive debris from Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture, announced Wednesday that radiation emitted by the incineration falls below the government’s legal limit.
As a result, full-scale incineration of debris from the Tohoku region is scheduled to begin in Tokyo this March, TBS reported.
Before the start of the incineration program, city officials say they are planning to hold meetings with local residents in an attempt to allay their fears.
Current plans are for the city to incinerate 50,000 tons of debris in 16 wards in Tokyo within the first year.
Japan Today
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27 Comments
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4
YongYang
This REALLY needs to be put to the vote. Don't we live in a democracy?
3
SquidBert
@YongYang
What ever gave you that impression? ;-)
1
YongYang
@SB. It was rhetorical.
5
Charles M Burns
Sure, it makes sense to burn as much radioactive waste as possible in the most densely populated area of Japan.
2
SquidBert
2
Elvensilvan
Which is ... at what level again?
Even though this article aims to ease some tension for burning debris, the government still hasn't released any information as to their so-called "safe limits". Are the limits they're referring to the limits reset by the government after the disaster, or the pre-disaster safe levels?
3
tmarie
This really does show that the government doesn't give a damn what the public thinks. Over a majority oppose this buy burn, baby, burn. Disgusting. Maybe this will finally be what gets rid of ishihara???
3
jforce
Well they really snuck that in there without the people's consent. That much debris in volume is below the "deemed" legal limit?! Deemed by a self-governing body chosen by the government. I feel sorry for all you Tokyo residents.
1
Ivan Coughanoffalot
And the slow suicide of Japan goes on.
2
Ted Barrera
Everyone break out your Geiger counters! Things are gonna get hot soon!
-1
Nicky Washida
So - they say it is under the legal limit - but cant tell us what the legal limit is. They dont tell us the actual numbers for their results either, and they arent saying where exactly they will be burning this debris.
Is there anything they actually ARE going to tell us? Even the writer of this article sounds cynical with his very forst words - "The self-governing body".
1
Crazedinjapan
Awesome ! Did you know exporters have to go down to the port because radiation limits are too high in the dust that lands on equipment and vehicles That they have to wash?? So with what's already blowing around in the wind they want to add more radiation to the wind ??
I would say it's another effort to cover up true amounts of what's actually out there.
0
Ben_Jackinoff
Sure, that's what you say now.
1
Samantha Zoe Aso
@But Nicky...(laced with huge dollops of sarcasm)..It's best not to tell us so we don't panic!
2
cactusJack
"below legal limit!" (official then proceeds to stuff stacks of cash in pocket)
0
deepstar6
Instead of burning and releasing smoke or ash, why not pour liquid nitrogen to freeze it and then crush it to powdered form. Finally store it in some kind of radiation proof containers for disposal.
I dont know what I just said makes any sense, but hey atleast it may not contaminate with radioactive ashes.
2
Blair Herron
The legal limit is 8000 Bq/kg
99~2440 Bq/kg was found in the ash.
The test burning was done in Ota-ku and Shinagawa-ku.
16 ku(s) will be burning the debris after they have explanation meeting with the residents. (don't know which ku exactly).
If you live in Tokyo, better check the kairanban carefully and attend the meeting.
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20120131/t10015674081000.html
1
rzadigi
If people don't speak up about this and stop it, then Japan will face some serious difficulties in the coming years. Health problems and loss of tourists would severely impact the nation's economy and cities like Tokyo (there will be others burning too) will see its population shrink. Pray for Japan.....to wake up!!!
1
Utrack
Heaps of radioactive ash is already in Tokyo from household waste and debris incineration and is now longer than 140m and school kids are taken on field trips there for a look. The ash is stored outside and looks like blue hills, they just put on bentonite layer and covered with seepage control sheet.
1
655321
Does anyone know what are the 16 wards this will be conducted in?
0
Sarcasm321
"A self-governing body..."
I don't know whether to laugh or cry...
1
Rev Head
How will this debris get to the incinerators and what about the radiation leakage whilst transporting it, why don't they just burn it where it is??
2
Blair Herron
First of all, I'm opposed the idea that Tokyo accepting debris from Tohoku. I'm just posting answers some posters asked (including possible sarcasm).Again, I'm not promoting Tokyo accepting debris campaign.
Tokyo Environmental agency held a meeting (5/27/2011) whether Tokyo should accept debris from Tohoku. At Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly (members were elected by public) regular meeting on June, 2011, extra budget for accepting the debris from Tohoku was unanimously approved.
http://www.kankyo.metro.tokyo.jp/resource/disaster-waste/docs/onagawa-QA.pdf
Pretty much in detail at Tokyo Environmental agency website.
http://www.union.tokyo23-seisou.lg.jp/topics/data/onagawa240131.pdf
http://www.kankyo.metro.tokyo.jp/resource/disaster-waste/kankyo-taisaku/miyako.html
http://www.kankyo.metro.tokyo.jp/resource/disaster-waste/kankyo-taisaku/miyako_2312_2403.html
http://www.kankyo.metro.tokyo.jp/resource/disaster-waste/kankyo-taisaku/onagawa.html
You can send e-mail to Tokyo Environmental agency.
http://www.kankyo.metro.tokyo.jp/inquiry/index.html
I'm still looking for it, but still no information yet. The debris from Miyako-shi Iwate will be incinerated at: Wakasu Koto-ku, Jonan-jima Ota-ku, Arai Nakano-ku, Soto-kanda Chiyoda-ku
http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/INET/OSHIRASE/2011/10/20laj400.htm
This debris gets to the incinerators by ships, trains, and trucks in sealed containers.
(video)
http://www.kankyo.metro.tokyo.jp/resource/disaster-waste/vision.html
http://www.kankyo.metro.tokyo.jp/resource/disaster-waste/index.html
They don't have enough incinerators. Also, they say Onagawa has little flat public land. The debris is temporarily placed on private land which slows recovery effort.
(video)
http://www.kankyo.metro.tokyo.jp/resource/disaster-waste/vision.html
2
Janick Magne
Thank you so much, Blair Herron, for the information.
2
Janick Magne
Let's share this and your links as widely as possible !
0
Greapper1
Im glad I live in Shimane.
0
Blair Herron
The debris will be incinerated in:
Katushika-ku, Adachi-ku, Chuo-ku, Toshima-ku, Ota-ku, Shinagawa-ku, Koto-ku, Edogawa-ku, Minato-ku, Shibuya-ku, Nerima-ku, Kita-ku, Itabashi-ku, Sumida-ku, Setagaya-ku, Meguro-ku.
http://www.union.tokyo23-seisou.lg.jp/topics/onagawa.html
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