Fukushima radiation moving in seawater across Pacific Ocean, according to consulting company

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      Oceanic radiation from last year's Fukushima nuclear disaster is approaching northern Hawaii, according to the latest tracking by ASR Limited.

      The coastal-management consulting company has created a map that follows the movement of radiation in seawater since the Japanese earthquake on March 11, 2011.


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      ASR Limited suggests radiation is crossing the Pacific Ocean.

      Last April, Japanese officials claimed that they had halted the release of radioactive radiation from the crippled nuclear reactors at Fukushima.

      On December 5, however, the Los Angeles Times revealed that "45 tons of highly radioactive water" had been released from the plant on the previous weekend.

      Greenpeace has also reported finding highly radioactive sea life off the Japanese coast.

      Meanwhile, ASR Limited has also released a map showing how far the floating island of Japanese debris has travelled since last year's earthquake.

      It's expected to reach the B.C. coast in 2013.


      A huge amount of debris is headed toward British Columbia.

      Follow Charlie Smith on Twitter at twitter.com/csmithstraight.

      Comments

      22 Comments

      Ron S,

      Mar 18, 2012 at 1:43pm

      So much for the safety of Nuclear Power. I don't believe it was a earthquake that caused all that devistation either.

      Moodier

      Mar 18, 2012 at 2:36pm

      I am not denying that there is potential for a spread of nuclear radition, but this video is fear mongering at its finest. Amazing how there are no other sources of radition in the entire world.

      DavidH

      Mar 18, 2012 at 2:39pm

      In the same way that we demand science-based decision making from our governments, let's be sure that we demand the same standard of ourselves.

      There is NO scientific consensus that radiation from Fukushima represents any threat to North America. Quite the opposite - the consensus is that there is no threat to human health.

      If we are going to respect the consensus on issues like climate change, perhaps we should do the same in this instance. Eh?

      Plum Duff

      Mar 18, 2012 at 3:02pm

      I really, REALLY hope you two are right.

      Pat Johnstone

      Mar 18, 2012 at 3:37pm

      Less than seeking consensus, you should at least check your source.

      I went to the ASR website, and found this under their description of the animated map you present above (the Allcaps copied from the source):
      "THIS IS NOT A REPRESENTATION OF THE RADIOACTIVE PLUME CONCENTRATION."
      So, just about the exact opposite of your headline.

      Charlie Smith

      Mar 18, 2012 at 4:31pm

      It was dealing with radiation in the ocean, not the plume in the sky.
      Charlie Smith

      TP Snyders

      Mar 18, 2012 at 4:57pm

      Anyone who bothers to check the source here would find that this is simply a map of where particles will have spread to by now, generated by data on ocean currents. The company that generated this mapping makes very clear that it is not an indication of amount of radiation present, simply where it's likely spread to, so save the comments about fear-mongering for the scientifically illiterate.

      Those who do have an understanding of the potential quantity and types of radioactive matter dispersed can come to their own conclusions about the potential harm already caused and likely to occur in future, but in reality it will be decades before we know for sure.

      what?

      Mar 18, 2012 at 5:03pm

      @Ron S.......elaborate....!?
      Tell us why you feel that.

      Plum Duff

      Mar 18, 2012 at 6:52pm

      I was first to comment in this thread with a remark that Rex should stay in Alberta to be our canary in the coal mine.

      My post seems to have disappeared.

      Care to comment, Charlie?

      adam g

      Mar 18, 2012 at 7:28pm

      The comment about the debris reaching BC also seems pretty speculative, as Im pretty certain the movement of the Pacific Ocean would carry Japanese debris towards some oceanic dead zone north of Hawaii. At the same time, we shouldnt be so quick to shrug off such a danger. It seems like the majority of human beings have this feeling of invincibility regarding environmental threats to our health. Ignorance is bliss.