After a nuclear power plant exploded in March of 2011, the Japanese government has worked hard to rebuild the land that was destroyed. Unprecedented, if the land becomes occupied again it will have been the most successful clean up and restoration of land after a nuclear explosion. There are 105 cities that need cleaning as a result of the 2011 incident.
Today, even four years later, workers head out in protective gear everyday to wipe down rain gutters and roofs. One major over haul that has to take place is the landscape. Leaves and soil need to be cleaned up. Large black trash bags are filled with contaminated soil and leaves to be disposed of elsewhere, while new fresh healthy soil and wood chips are laid in place.
Around 120,000 people still remain displaced from their homes, due to the dangerous health risks in the area and radioactive contamination. It is estimated that the removal of nuclear fuel debris will take until 2022. Both private sector and governmental agencies are working on the clean up, including The International Atomic Energy Agency and the Tokyo Electric Power Company. TEPCo is working to decommission all six reactors released at the site. So far TEPCo has treated approximately half of the water on the site, and a 770 meter wall to help protect the site from the ocean.
TEPCo's original plans expected to use approximately 150 billion dollars. Many of the local citizens however are upset with the recovery plan that TEPCo is managing. The locals think that the money to restore the land and the properties could be put to better use helping take care of the people who's health has been compromised as a result of the incident. Many citizens have an increased risk for diagnosis of cancer, tumors, or other genetic disorders, on top of being evacuated from their homes.
The number of reported deaths related to this disaster continue to rise, as the numbers pour in from various surrounding cities in the hundreds.
"After 4 Years, Fukushima Nuclear Cleanup Remains Daunting and Vast." Fukushima Update. Las Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2015. Google. Web. 18 Mar. 2015. <http://fukushimaupdate.com/after-4-years-fukushima-nuclear-cleanup-remains-daunting-and-vast/>.
"What is Happening at the Fukushima Daiichi Site Now?." Fukushima Update. NEI, 11 Mar. 2015. Google. Web. 19 Mar. 2015. <http://fukushimaupdate.com/what-is-happening-at-the-fukushima-daiichi-site-now/>.
"Deaths Tied to Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Up 18%." Fukushima Update. Press TV, 10 Mar. 2014. Google. Web. 19 Mar. 2015. <http://fukushimaupdate.com/deaths-tied-to-fukushima-nuclear-disaster-up-18/>.
Today, even four years later, workers head out in protective gear everyday to wipe down rain gutters and roofs. One major over haul that has to take place is the landscape. Leaves and soil need to be cleaned up. Large black trash bags are filled with contaminated soil and leaves to be disposed of elsewhere, while new fresh healthy soil and wood chips are laid in place.
Around 120,000 people still remain displaced from their homes, due to the dangerous health risks in the area and radioactive contamination. It is estimated that the removal of nuclear fuel debris will take until 2022. Both private sector and governmental agencies are working on the clean up, including The International Atomic Energy Agency and the Tokyo Electric Power Company. TEPCo is working to decommission all six reactors released at the site. So far TEPCo has treated approximately half of the water on the site, and a 770 meter wall to help protect the site from the ocean.
TEPCo's original plans expected to use approximately 150 billion dollars. Many of the local citizens however are upset with the recovery plan that TEPCo is managing. The locals think that the money to restore the land and the properties could be put to better use helping take care of the people who's health has been compromised as a result of the incident. Many citizens have an increased risk for diagnosis of cancer, tumors, or other genetic disorders, on top of being evacuated from their homes.
The number of reported deaths related to this disaster continue to rise, as the numbers pour in from various surrounding cities in the hundreds.
"After 4 Years, Fukushima Nuclear Cleanup Remains Daunting and Vast." Fukushima Update. Las Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2015. Google. Web. 18 Mar. 2015. <http://fukushimaupdate.com/after-4-years-fukushima-nuclear-cleanup-remains-daunting-and-vast/>.
"What is Happening at the Fukushima Daiichi Site Now?." Fukushima Update. NEI, 11 Mar. 2015. Google. Web. 19 Mar. 2015. <http://fukushimaupdate.com/what-is-happening-at-the-fukushima-daiichi-site-now/>.
"Deaths Tied to Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Up 18%." Fukushima Update. Press TV, 10 Mar. 2014. Google. Web. 19 Mar. 2015. <http://fukushimaupdate.com/deaths-tied-to-fukushima-nuclear-disaster-up-18/>.
