Wastewater being released in Fukushima. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 12 (Korea Bizwire) – A dispute has arisen over a report commissioned by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), which underscores the necessity of prolonged tracking of Fukushima wastewater.
The report, titled “The Impact of Wastewater Containing Radioactive Material on Humans,” was revealed through the government policy research management system ‘PRISM’ on Wednesday. In its conclusion, the report stressed the need for extensive big data research through a long-term tracking survey lasting over twenty years.
The report also includes statements such as “It’s difficult to trust ALPS since its purification capability has not been verified,” “There is a need to collect and manage data by establishing a new evaluation model for national health impact,” and “There is no scientific verification regarding the direct impact of low-dose radiation on humans.”
In essence, the report specified the necessity of long-term research since deeming the wastewater processed through ALPS as safe for national health is challenging.
During the parliamentary inspection by the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee, Kang Sun-woo, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party, stated that the report’s findings contradict the Yoon government’s claim that the wastewater is safe. The lawmaker added that based on the results of this report, the public’s concern about the wastewater’s safety has been substantiated.
Lawmakers from the opposition parties also highlighted that the KDCA intentionally kept the report hidden. Initially, the KDCA classified the report as ‘not disclosed’ and did not include it in the list of non-disclosed outsourced research submitted for the National Assembly’s inspection.
In response, the KDCA argued that the report deals with theoretical content and it is not appropriate to conclude that the wastewater is unsafe based solely on certain sections of the report.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
