Tokyo to begin incinerating tsunami debris after test burn ash deemed 'below legal limit'

This REALLY needs to be put to the vote. Don't we live in a democracy?

@YongYang

Don't we live in a democracy?

What ever gave you that impression? ;-)

@SB. It was rhetorical.

Sure, it makes sense to burn as much radioactive waste as possible in the most densely populated area of Japan.

It was rhetorical. Oh I see, that explains it, I've never done well with rhetorical.

radiation emitted by the incineration falls below the government’s legal limit

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?

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???

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.

And the slow suicide of Japan goes on.

Everyone break out your Geiger counters! Things are gonna get hot soon!

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".

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.

deemed 'below legal limit'

Sure, that's what you say now.

@But Nicky...(laced with huge dollops of sarcasm)..It's best not to tell us so we don't panic!

"below legal limit!" (official then proceeds to stuff stacks of cash in pocket)

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.

cant tell us what the legal limit is

The legal limit is 8000 Bq/kg

They dont tell us the actual numbers for their results either

99~2440 Bq/kg was found in the ash.

they arent saying where exactly they will be burning this debris

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

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!!!

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.

Does anyone know what are the 16 wards this will be conducted in?

"A self-governing body..."

I don't know whether to laugh or cry...

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??

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.

This REALLY needs to be put to the vote. Don't we live in a democracy?

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

It's best not to tell us so we don't panic!

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

If people don't speak up about this and stop it, then Japan will face some serious difficulties in the coming years.

You can send e-mail to Tokyo Environmental agency.

http://www.kankyo.metro.tokyo.jp/inquiry/index.html

Does anyone know what are the 16 wards this will be conducted in?

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

How will this debris get to the incinerators and what about the radiation leakage whilst transporting it,

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

why don't they just burn it where it is??

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

Thank you so much, Blair Herron, for the information.

Let's share this and your links as widely as possible !

Im glad I live in Shimane.

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