Radioactive Seas in Fukushima via Surfer Magazine

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In the past, TEPCO has been vocal in stating that contaminated water had not been leaking into the ocean. But recently, they switched positions, stating that contaminated water had indeed leaked into the sea and apologizing to the people of Fukushima. A recent radiation test conducted by TEPCO showed a soaring amount of radioactive cesium in an observation well near the damaged plant. According to TEPCO, over the course of three days this month the radiation levels in the well increased 90 fold, which brought the levels to more than 150 times Japan’s safety standard. However, recent tests of seawater were reported as normal.

Hawaii’s Kekoa Bacalso, who traveled frequently to Japan in the past, has vowed not to surf anywhere near the affected area for years to come. “Japan is such an amazing place, but when you hear that they still don’t have a handle on the radiation problems at Fukushima, you have to do a double-take. It’s been two years since the disaster and they’re just now admitting that contaminated water has been leaking into the Pacific.” exclaimed Bacalso. “I’m baffled. I absolutely love Japan, but I won’t be surfing or traveling near Fukushima for a while because of this.”

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For Keito Matsuoka, a Japanese surfer from the town of Sendai, the news of the ongoing problems at the reactor have forced him to lose faith in his government’s ability to handle the situation. “I don’t know what to believe anymore. There are so many conflicting reports from the government. One day you’ll hear that the radiation levels are low, and the next you hear about the recent spike we had. The town where I’m originally from, Sendai, is located near Fukushima. And even though the government says that it’s safe to go in the area, I don’t trust them. I can’t surf my home break more than a few times every month because I’m scared of the radiation.”

Read the whole story and also comments that point out that contamination is not already limited to Japanese coastal waters at Radioactive Seas in Fukushima

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