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City in Shizuoka starts incinerating tsunami debris

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A city in Shizuoka Prefecture started incinerating tsunami debris on Wednesday.

Shimada City first carried out a test incineration of 10 tons of debris in March. The city tested the ashes and exhaust gas for radioactive cesium and other elements. Levels were well below the safety standard. After that, the city decided to accept more debris.

Shimada Mayor Katsuro Sakurai said the city will continue to test ashes for radioactive elements.

At Wednesday's disposal, residents were invited to bring Geiger counters and measure the debris for radioactive substances themselves, NTV reported.

Shimada will accept 5,000 tons of wood debris per year from Yamada and Otsuchi towns in Iwate Prefecture. The debris will be incinerated with the city's regular garbage.

However, tea growers and housewives remain opposed to the city accepting tsunami debris for disposal.

Shimada becomes only the 5th site outside Tohoku to accept tsunami debris.

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... All three... categories of <5mm particles (5mm未満細塵) from 大槌町(Otsuchi town) are contaminated with Cs-134/137 at 520 bq/kg, 430 bq/kg, and 590 bq/kg respectively. The three categories of <5mm particles (5mm未満細塵) makes up 51.8% of the debris composition from 大槌町(Otsuchi town). One of the category is very close to while the other two exceeds the Ministry of Environment's maximum allowed burning limit at 480 bq/kg.

So it's wise to be cautious.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Blair Herron,

According to the map you provided, Yamada and Otsuchi town where Shimada city will accept debris are not affected (or at least less than 0.125microSv/hr)

Hey thanks for pointing that out as I did not know the exact location of Yamda and Otsuchi Town before. I also just found out that Fukushima Prefecture is not participating in the debris ship-out (Thank goodness).

So I looked up all the tsunami-affected cities and town in Miyagi and Iwate prefectures that are participating in the debris ship-out and logged down their radiation levels from the Fukushima fallout based on the map: http://gunma.zamurai.jp/pub/2012/0305Gmap.jpg

From Iwate Prefecture:

野田村 Noda-mura: <0.125 uSV/hr or normal.

田野畑村 Tanohata-mura: <0.125 uSV/hr or normal.

大槌町 Otsuchi-cho: <0.125 uSV/hr or normal.

陸前高田市 Rikuzentakata-shi: 0.25~ uSV/hr

宮古市 Miyako-shi: <0.125 uSV/hr or normal.

山田町 Yamada-cho: <0.125 uSV/hr or normal.

久慈市 Kuji-shi: <0.125 uSV/hr or normal.

From Miyagi Prefecture:

氣仙沼市 Kesennuma-shi: 0.25~ uSV/hr

南三陸町 Minami Sanriku-cho: normal to 0.125~ uSV/hr

石卷市 Ishinomaki-shi: normal to 0.125~ uSV/hr

石巻市(牡鹿半島部)Ishinomaki-shi (Oshika District): 0.25~ uSV/hr

東松島市 Higashi Matsushima-shi: <0.125 uSV/hr or normal.

塩竈市 Shiogama-shi: <0.125 uSV/hr or normal.

多賀城市 Tagajo-shi: <0.125 uSV/hr or normal.

七ヶ浜町 Shichigahama-cho: <0.125 uSV/hr or normal.

名取市 Natori-shi: 0.125~ uSV/hr

岩沼市 Iwanuma-shi: 0.125~ to 0.25~ uSV/hr

女川町 Onagawa-cho: 0.125~ to 0.25~ uSV/hr

NEW CONCLUSION

8 out of 18 (44%) cities and towns in Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures that are participating in the debris ship-out are still being hit by radiation from the fallouts of Fukushima.

Based on the data, it seems like 山田町(Yamada town) and 大槌町(Otsuchi town) are relatively safe from radiation of Fukushima fallouts. However, their debris are still contaminated with radiation. http://kouikishori.env.go.jp/howto/houshanou-noudo.pdf

One important thing to note:

All three

http://kouikishori.env.go.jp/howto/

So it's wise to be cautious.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

For your information:

Sorry Christopher

As I have indicated on similar articles numerous times, the officials were well aware of the meltdown and have indicated so prior to your article. Those, unfortunately, are basically word games played by western media where "not confirming meltdown"="denying"

-NISA indicated a high probability of meltdown on March 12, 2011 -Edano indicated that there is a high probability of meltdown on March 13 and that they are pusuing the issue based on the assumption that it did.「炉心溶融の可能性もあるとの前提で対応している」-Edano, March 13th -The officials were finally able to "confirm" the meltdown after they were able to retrieve data from the central control room.事故当時のデータ解析が開始されたのは5月上旬。松本氏は「中央制御室に残されていたデータなどがそろい、解析がそのときになって可能になった」

do keep up with the news and contaminated food is definitely not old news. It's an ongoing issue. For example, from 2 days ago. http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/2012/05/radioactive-japan-1072-bqkg-of-cesium.html

The old limit is 500 bq/kg. None of those exceed that amount if Japan was still under the previous upper limit. That's my point.

However, the Cheynobyl accident had much much more food contamination for it lasted almost 5 years after the fact with contaminated food originating as far as Italy, France, and Turkey.

http://www.mhlw.go.jp/houdou/0111/h1108-2.html

Sorry I've been pretty busy with the rebuttals. I'll read it when given the opportunity. I don't really understand what you're saying on this one. But it seems like you're saying that the particles could be contained completely without releasing them to the air through burning process. We'll see how well those filters work filtering out those nanoparticles, only time will tell. Meanwhile, I'll maintain an eye on the radiation levels released around the incineration plants.

As Blair indicated, based on the map you provided, the location where the debris are located has less than 0.125 microSV/hr. My suggestion to you is to click on the link I provided (May. 25, 2012 - 04:11AM JST) which indicates the location of where the debris are assembled and the radiation levels of the debris. You can also compare with the locations with the actual location of the Fukushima Daiichi NP area. You'll then realize that debris of affected area =/= nuclear fall out area/evacuated area.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Christopher Cheung,

Of course. It's logical to think like that because it is a fact.Take a look at this map:

http://gunma.zamurai.jp/pub/2012/0305Gmap.jpg

According to the map as of December 2011, all of those cities and towns that were affected by the tsunami are still being hit with radiation from the Fukushima fallouts.

According to the map you provided, Yamada and Otsuchi town where Shimada city will accept debris are not affected (or at least less than 0.125microSv/hr)

山田町(Yamada town) and 大槌町(Otsuchi town) are located between 釜石(Kamaishi) and 宮古(Miyako)

http://www.pref.iwate.jp/view.rbz?cd=3237

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Radiation is not the only concern when burning tons of debris.

And there is zero need to drag it all the way down from Tohoku to be burnt in Shizuoka.

I would be angry as hell if I was a resident.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

By the way nigelboy, if you do care, I didn't give you any thumbs down.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

nigelboy,

With all due respect Christopher, the fear mongering posts done by others have been addressed in the past including "China Syndrome" (Brazil?) and has been debunked countless times.

I used to be an anti-fear monger but I realized that once in a while they do hold some truth. I used too shun all information until it is proven by an official source. Sometimes that takes ages to do so. For example, trans fat wasn't proven to be bad to the people until many decades later after it was introduced in many processed food which some people have been eating for half of their lifetime. That's why it's good to be open minded and use your own logical judgement instead of shunning all other information that do not seem to be official.

Like I said earlier, it's a possibility. That's why TEPCO is planning to build that "giant underground concrete tray" just in case it's going to happen or to stop it from going further.

For your information:

1.) TEPCO themselves already believe that 3 of their reactors already melted down since the beginning which they have said otherwise in the beginning. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/25/world/asia/25nuclear.html?_r=2

2.) One of the reactor has a hole (most likely due to falling melted fuel pellet) which led to the leakage of radioactive water. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/12/us-japan-nuclear-reactor-idUSTRE74B1H520110512

3.) "Three Daiichi reactors had meltdowns, but the number two reactor is the only one that has been examined because radiation levels inside the reactor building are relatively low and its container is designed with a convenient slot to send in the endoscope." Heck, if they don't even have the capability to examine the other two reactors due to extremely high radiation that even robots can't handle, then how can they confirm that "China Syndrome" has not occurred? That's why once again "China Syndrome" is still a possibility and that's why they are planning to build that "giant underground concrete tray" just in case. Overall the situation is still very uncertain and definitely not in "cold shutdown" like they claimed. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/mar/28/fukushima-reactor-radiation-levels

And I don't know if you read the news or not but the maximum radiation amount which has been implemented since March of last year has been reduced to normal pre-nuclear disaster levels indicating that the food contamination has not only stopped spreading but has decreased substantially to a point where such levels are now set.

Yes, I knew that the government has lowered their radiation limits in food. However, I don't see how the lowered standards has anything to do with proving that the spread of food contamination has stopped. If you can, please clarify. Also just because the maximum limit has been lowered doesn't mean the food is not contaminated.

In any case, the amount of radiation levels for debris in each location, the amount, the result of exhaust air and ash radiation levels from incinirators in various locations, and the methods to assure the safety of this debris inciniration are all found on this link below. http://kouikishori.env.go.jp/

Thanks for the reminder and providing me the link, I will definitely keep up with the radiation levels around the plants as the burning of the debris has just been recently started. So I'll be looking out for anything out of ordinary.

Gee. Weren't you the one providing the link to the map.

I thought you were comparing my map to another source because on my map the tsunami-affected areas are being hit with .25 uSv/hr while Tokyo is being hit with .125 uSv/hr. Therefore, "the majority of the locations that the debris are stored has the same level of radiation than that of parts of Tokyo," which you said is not true. It led me to believe that you had another map or source, that's why I was asking for it.

And again, the "contaminated" food is old news. Please do keep up. And please do read up on the link I provided in regards to the radiation level and the result of the exhaust air quality and the ash done by the inciniration plants. Then do yourself a favor and check the radiation level on the city where the incinartion plants are stationed. I look forward to your results.

I do keep up with the news and contaminated food is definitely not old news. It's an ongoing issue. For example, from 2 days ago. http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/2012/05/radioactive-japan-1072-bqkg-of-cesium.html

I'm under the impression that you still didn't read what I linked. Fair enough. Speaking of "re-introduce" the radioactive particles into the air all over again, one of dangers of this current debris problem is that it could set fire instantly as the temperature rises (chemical reaction). Hence, what you are suggesting is to contaminate those debris even more by exposure and have the chance of burning uncontrolled without containment or filter thereby "spreading" the radioactive particles more into the atmosphere. Roll eyes once again.

Sorry I've been pretty busy with the rebuttals. I'll read it when given the opportunity. I don't really understand what you're saying on this one. But it seems like you're saying that the particles could be contained completely without releasing them to the air through burning process. We'll see how well those filters work filtering out those nanoparticles, only time will tell. Meanwhile, I'll maintain an eye on the radiation levels released around the incineration plants.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

May you please provide a link of source that say so? As I have not seen any radiation readings of the debris other than in becquerels. Just because Tokyo is contaminated "naturally" through winds and rains doesn't make it right to intentionally contaminate other cities that are clean. Foods are contaminated throughout much of Tohoku and Kanto region, and people there are trying to seek for other food source from places that are clean like Kyushu. Where are they going to get their clean food from if everywhere else in Japan is contaminated?

Gee. Weren't you the one providing the link to the map.

I'll repeat what you said so that you are reminded.

"According to the map as of December 2011, all of those cities and towns that were affected by the tsunami are still being hit with radiation from the Fukushima fallouts."

And again, the "contaminated" food is old news. Please do keep up. And please do read up on the link I provided in regards to the radiation level and the result of the exhaust air quality and the ash done by the inciniration plants. Then do yourself a favor and check the radiation level on the city where the incinartion plants are stationed. I look forward to your results.

I agree with you that it will take forever for the tsunami-affected prefectures to get rid of the debris. However, like I suggested earlier, the exclusion zone would be the perfect place to store the debris. It's closer = less transportation fee. Doing so will also prevent the contamination of the clean places. Lastly, wouldn't it be a much wiser option to store them in the exclusion zone instead of burning them? Not only does burning takes a lot more time than just simply storing, burning the debris could also re-introduce the radioactive particles into the air all over again.

I'm under the impression that you still didn't read what I linked. Fair enough. Speaking of "re-introduce" the radioactive particles into the air all over again, one of dangers of this current debris problem is that it could set fire instantly as the temperature rises (chemical reaction). Hence, what you are suggesting is to contaminate those debris even more by exposure and have the chance of burning uncontrolled without containment or filter thereby "spreading" the radioactive particles more into the atmosphere. Roll eyes once again.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

nigelboy,

According to the map you linked, the majority of the locations that the debris are stored has the same level of radiation than that of parts of Tokyo.

May you please provide a link of source that say so? As I have not seen any radiation readings of the debris other than in becquerels. Just because Tokyo is contaminated "naturally" through winds and rains doesn't make it right to intentionally contaminate other cities that are clean. Foods are contaminated throughout much of Tohoku and Kanto region, and people there are trying to seek for other food source from places that are clean like Kyushu. Where are they going to get their clean food from if everywhere else in Japan is contaminated?

Perhaps it has to do with the fact the estimated debris amounts to nearly half of what Japan produces in the entire year. With the current plan of having other prefecture take in 2.27 million metric tons, they plan on finishing the inciniration by another two years. Without it, I can't speculate on how long it would take but in Miyagi alone, the amount of debris is basically 14 years worth of garbage. For Iwate, 12 years.

I agree with you that it will take forever for the tsunami-affected prefectures to get rid of the debris. However, like I suggested earlier, the exclusion zone would be the perfect place to store the debris. It's closer = less transportation fee. Doing so will also prevent the contamination of the clean places. Lastly, wouldn't it be a much wiser option to store them in the exclusion zone instead of burning them? Not only does burning takes a lot more time than just simply storing, burning the debris could also re-introduce the radioactive particles into the air all over again.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

With all due respect Christopher, the fear mongering posts done by others have been addressed in the past including "China Syndrome" (Brazil?) and has been debunked countless times.

And I don't know if you read the news or not but the maximum radiation amount which has been implemented since March of last year has been reduced to normal pre-nuclear disaster levels indicating that the food contamination has not only stopped spreading but has decreased substantially to a point where such levels are now set.

In any case, the amount of radiation levels for debris in each location, the amount, the result of exhaust air and ash radiation levels from incinirators in various locations, and the methods to assure the safety of this debris inciniration are all found on this link below.

http://kouikishori.env.go.jp/

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Fadamor,

Well if they stored all the tsunami debris in a highly radioactive area then it would become radioactive as well, compounding the radioactive debris problem.

Yes, the tsunami debris will become highly radioactive as well but they are contained inside the area of exclusion zone. Who gives? No one really cares as most cannot enter anyway. It's wasteland with no future. Therefore, I don't see the issue here.

As you say, not rocket science but perhaps we should be leaving these decisions to qualified scientists after all.

Since you attacked the "ignorant" civilians, I'm going to let this one out as I have see many "qualified" and brainwashing experts/scientists' opinions on the radiation issue out there in Japan.

Professor Shunichi Yamashita of Biomedical Sciences at Nagasaki University once said, "to tell you the truth, radiation doesn't affect people who are smiling, but those who are worried."

Very scientific huh? Will you trust these people? I would only comfortably leave these decisions to the qualified scientists/experts if they make sense. Unfortunately, I haven't really seen one yet.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

According to the map as of December 2011, all of those cities and towns that were affected by the tsunami are still being hit with radiation from the Fukushima fallouts.

According to the map you linked, the majority of the locations that the debris are stored has the same level of radiation than that of parts of Tokyo. (roll eyes)

I read a rumor/theory online saying that "the government is attempting to disburse the radiated debris around Japan in order to fend off future legal claims against the government by the Tohoku residents." I'm not sure if this is true but it does make sense and it is very probable because that is a lot of money to compensate the victims. Japan can't really say no to compensate victims like a communist/totalitarian nation could. Therefore they have to figure a way to beat the system. That's why once again I think this theory makes sense.

(Roll eyes again)

Perhaps it has to do with the fact the estimated debris amounts to nearly half of what Japan produces in the entire year. With the current plan of having other prefecture take in 2.27 million metric tons, they plan on finishing the inciniration by another two years. Without it, I can't speculate on how long it would take but in Miyagi alone, the amount of debris is basically 14 years worth of garbage. For Iwate, 12 years.

http://kouikishori.env.go.jp/news/pdf/20120521c.pdf

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Fadamor,

My Japanese is downright poor, but doesn't the map say it is using reading data from April 21, 2011? How does that translate into "still being hit with radiation" over a year later?

It's all good. His map was first published in 21 April 2011. His most recent data was collected in December 2011. The 6th edtion of the map (the one you're reading) was published on 2 Mar 2012 with his most recent readings from December 2011. I'm not sure how that's going to translate "being hit with radiation 6 months later". However, I could tell you that the nuclear crisis is still on-going and the problem has not been fixed yet in the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants. Therefore, radiation is still being released. Although not as much as the initial hydrogen explosions which released a lot of radioactive particles into the air. The fear of "China Syndrome" is very possible as TEPCO is planning to build a "giant underground concrete tray" to contain the possible "melt-throughs" which could leak through and contaminate the soil and ground water. Also another thing to note is that as time passed, (although low) the Fukushima radiation has reached to places as far as Tokyo and Shizuoka. As long as the source (Fukushima Daiichi) is not contained, we should not be surprised that radiation levels could increase and spread further (also with the assistance of spreading around the debris nationwide and burning them to re-release to the atmosphere).

Also even places 300km beyond Chernobyl's radius are being hit by its radiation 20 years later. http://blog-imgs-26-origin.fc2.com/k/i/p/kipuka/CHER22.jpg

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

sodesuka:

Thanks.

Not rocket science, perhaps someone knows why they are not doing as you suggest?

Perhaps it's due to political reasons? I'm sure the national government will receive a lot of positive feedback and support from the tsunami affected area for helping them getting rid of the debris. Also local governments from other prefectures receiving money on the side from the national government for accepting the debris should not be a surprise. As corruption happens anywhere around the world. I read a rumor/theory online saying that "the government is attempting to disburse the radiated debris around Japan in order to fend off future legal claims against the government by the Tohoku residents." I'm not sure if this is true but it does make sense and it is very probable because that is a lot of money to compensate the victims. Japan can't really say no to compensate victims like a communist/totalitarian nation could. Therefore they have to figure a way to beat the system. That's why once again I think this theory makes sense.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

According to the map as of December 2011, all of those cities and towns that were affected by the tsunami are still being hit with radiation from the Fukushima fallouts.

My Japanese is downright poor, but doesn't the map say it is using reading data from April 21, 2011? How does that translate into "still being hit with radiation" over a year later?

*basroil: Japan does have space to store the debris and that would be the exclusion zone established around the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. That place is highly irradiated and uninhabitable for many generations to come anyway. In fact it is closer than almost all other prefectures they are trying to send the debris to (saves transportation fee). What the government is doing right now doesn't make any sense. The exclusion zone is the perfect place to store (not burn) the radioactive debris.'

Not rocket science, perhaps someone knows why they are not doing as you suggest?

Well if they stored all the tsunami debris in a highly radioactive area then it would become radioactive as well, compounding the radioactive debris problem. As you say, not rocket science but perhaps we should be leaving these decisions to qualified scientists after all. Ignorant (yes, I said ignorant) civilians who barely made it through high school science are waving geiger counters around and demanding anything reading above background noise be treated as harmful. They made it through most of their miserable lives not aware of all the radioactivity around them, and now believe any reading on a geiger counter is caused by Fukushima Daichi. The result is we have the likes of you trying to make the radioactive debris problem worse.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Cheung: Very well said: '*basroil: Japan does have space to store the debris and that would be the exclusion zone established around the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. That place is highly irradiated and uninhabitable for many generations to come anyway. In fact it is closer than almost all other prefectures they are trying to send the debris to (saves transportation fee). What the government is doing right now doesn't make any sense. The exclusion zone is the perfect place to store (not burn) the radioactive debris.'

Not rocket science, perhaps someone knows why they are not doing as you suggest?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Fadamor:

I think part of the problem is people see and hear "tsunami debris" but in their brain this gets translated to "RADIATION!!!!

Of course. It's logical to think like that because it is a fact.

Take a look at this map: http://gunma.zamurai.jp/pub/2012/0305Gmap.jpg

According to the map as of December 2011, all of those cities and towns that were affected by the tsunami are still being hit with radiation from the Fukushima fallouts.

the truth is that the tsunami affected a much wider area than the radiation from Fukushima did.

I agree with you. 15,954 people died, 3,271 people still missing, and 22,495,000 tons of debris generated as a result of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. We could clearly see how devastating the earthquake and tsunami was based on the numbers. How many people died due to the Fukushima radiation? Probably none or the number is very low that it becomes insignificant when compared to the death toll from the tsunami alone. That is because radiation doesn't kill immediately unless it's at a lethal high dose. That's why the tsunami appears to have a greater impact than the radiation. There wouldn't be immediate deaths due to low dose radiation; however, you should not be surprised with the increasing numbers of cancers that will pop in the future which will brings much suffering to the people affected by it.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

As long as it is below government limits let's breath it,eat it and drink it.....let's worry about the cancers and birth defects later on

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I think part of the problem is people see and hear "tsunami debris" but in their brain this gets translated to "RADIATION!!!! OMFG RADIATION!!! WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIEEEEEEEEE!" It's just a sad by-product of consecutive disasters. People start to believe it was all one event when the truth is that the tsunami affected a much wider area than the radiation from Fukushima did.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

*basroil: Japan does have space to store the debris and that would be the exclusion zone established around the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. That place is highly irradiated and uninhabitable for many generations to come anyway. In fact it is closer than almost all other prefectures they are trying to send the debris to (saves transportation fee). What the government is doing right now doesn't make any sense. The exclusion zone is the perfect place to store (not burn) the radioactive debris.

*Charles M Burns: They test the ash to ensure the public (the skeptical ones) that is safe enough to continue the burning of the debris.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Basroll, touched a nerve, did I?

1) If there is no place to dump trash, then perhaps Japanese should a) upgrade their incinerators to western standards or b) look into recycling, c) using that for the landfill projects or d) stop creating so much garbage!

2) Low-heat incinerators are NOT effective, no matter how Japanese they are. Go ask city hall the dioxin levels of your home town. Not that they'd tell you, mind you.

3) Again you're missing the point. I didn't buy it for a lab, I bought it because it was made by a double disaster victim and I wanted to help without endangering myself and my family. And perhaps you should compare it's data sheet with it's price tag before saying anything silly, such as comments about the types of radioactivity - you do understand how the radiation types differ, don't you? And how it's child's play to separate them, even for a ¥3500 device (quite properly calibrated by an outside laboratory as well as myself, since after university I used to do it in an official capacity for a living after Chernobyl messed up my home town).

Moderator: Stay on topic please.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Why would they test the ashes if it was safe to burn?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

It's not 'paranoia' to be concerned. It is not 'paranoia' to question as to if it is contaminated with radioactive isotopes, especially with the track record so far shown by TEPCO, the government and the people organizing this 'burden share'. They have NOT checked all of the debris. The checked three buckets full then went ahead. That is NOT a comprehensive analysis of the debris. Then there are the issues with other dioxins, from asbestos to oil. The approach to 'share' is fatally flawed. Store. Burn and get rid of in areas already lost to radiation contamination. Good, solid, common SENSE.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Techie. 1) Japan has no space to dump trash, that's the reason everything is recycled or burned. In fact, before the incineration system went into full effect in the 90s, Japan had less than a decade of trash space left. 2) Even "low-tech" burners are very efficient, and the release of any particulate matter is almost negligible since most is completely incinerated. 3) Your pocket counter is completely useless, it can't tell the difference between alpha, beta, gamma, x rays. Hell, most can't even distinguish WiFi signals from radiation. 4) If you don't like it, just leave and go elsewhere. But be warned, most countries do far worse things than burn the trash.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

I wonder why people are under the assumption that burning it is some sort of perfect final solution? It simply spreads the microparticles everywhere (i.e. into the fields), both radioactive and otherwise toxic.

Sure, I'll support hard-hit people in a meaningful way (proud owner of Pocket Geiger counter "Made in Ishinomaki", although it is kind of pain to use). But if kizuna means I have to take as much damage as they have taken, then count me out. That's just stupid.

Just bury the debris.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Have not heard anything about Shizuoka tea in a very long time...anyone?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

As I wrote in a rpevious post, I wonder how those people would feel if their area had been hit by a disaster and other communities in Japan would not help them by refusing to burn the rubble. While I understand the worries, local communities are opposed to burning debris from non-contaminated areas. Since the debris are not irradiated it only shows that their opposing the inceneration is driven by sentiment and not rationality. The meaning of kizuna is definitely lost on those people, but what would happen if they were the ones in need of help?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

With regards to increased levels of dioxin and asbestos spreading to the surrounding tea fields to due to low-tech burners, irradiation is the lesser of many evils. So long Nihoncha made in Shizuoka, I wonder when you'd be safe to drink again?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Well said speed. There is a difference between skeptical caution and complete paranoia.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

This is a big big problem. I have been measuring the air around some incinerators with my Russian Geiger Counter and I found many time very radioactive air closer to the plants. Particularly I found a 0.6 microsieverts outside of the National Children Health Care Hospital. There is a big garden outside the Hospital and you can see the big Kinuta incinerator, there is also a big park there and the readings where always around 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 micro sieverts. SCAM!!! I have been closer to other incinerator, in Chitose Fuunabashi 0.3 micro sieverts, and if the air blows closer to you 0.4 ms. COME ON PEOPLE!!! don't be so blind.

0 ( +4 / -3 )

It had been tested before delivery and showed no dangerous levels of radiation. I'm sure if it showed high doses upon arrival in Shimada it wouldn't have been allowed to be incinerated there and turned back.

I understand the distrust of the government and Tepco, whom I'm highly suspicious of, but this rubble doesn't come from anywhere near the irradiated areas.

I think the public has every right to be concerned but they also need to keep things in perspective.

6 ( +7 / -2 )

Were the locals asked if this was okay? They can come and measure but what would they do if the levels were over the limits?

Speed, you can think that but people are worried because of the lies from TEPCO and the government. Stop blaming the public for worrying. They have ever reason to. We've been lied to since day one - and are still being lied to no doubt.

0 ( +7 / -8 )

If the debris is coming from Iwate, then there should be no problem with irradiation. Iwate is located far to the north of Fukushima.

I think the townspeople are being paranoid and overreacting. The rest of the country for that matter.

If it were from Fukushima, I'd understand. But this seems like very unkizuna-like behavior.

3 ( +7 / -5 )

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