A decision should be made sometime this year over whether to release into the sea water containing radioactive tritium from the crisis-hit Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, the chief of Japan's nuclear regulator said Thursday, emphasizing it would pose no danger to human health.
"We will face a new challenge if a decision (about the release) is not made this year," Nuclear Regulation Authority Chairman Toyoshi Fuketa told Naraha Mayor Yukiei Matsumoto, referring to the more than 1 million tons of coolant water and groundwater that has accumulated at the crippled facility. Naraha is located close to the Fukushima No.1 plant.
Fuketa said releasing the water into the sea after dilution is the only solution, saying "it is scientifically clear that there will be no impact on marine products or to the environment."