Oxford professor tells Fukushima naysayers to 'learn science'

Politics

Published: 21 Jun. 2023, 20:03 Updated: 22 Jun. 2023, 14:01

Oxford professor tells Fukushima naysayers to 'learn science'

Wade Allison, professor emeritus at Oxford University, gives a lecture at the National Assembly on May 19. [YONHAP]

Wade Allision, professor emeritus at Oxford University, said the treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant is harmless, adding those who oppose the release should "learn a little science," in an email interview with the JoongAng Ilbo.

Noting that the wastewater is far less dangerous than a CT scan, Allison said, "Elementary scientific knowledge would reveal that everything around us is nuclear waste from stellar nuclear explosions that predated the Earth."

"Some are still radioactive today," he added.

He rhetorically asked why Korea chooses to look "ignorant" when the country is now well-respected globally.

"I have no doubt at all that you should not worry about the [treated] water," he said.

He also said it's safe to drink the water once it's purified by Japan's so-called ALPS facility.

"If we compare the dose that you would get from drinking a liter of water from the Japanese cooling exercise without any dilution, then that would be about almost the same effect as potassium-40," Allison said, noting it has been with us since the "beginning of time."

"So if I were to drink a liter of the water now for the next 12 days, that would double the radiation dose due to the radioactivity inside me," he said. "Just in case you think that's a bad thing, you have to remember we get nearly 10 times as much radiation from outer space ... from the water and especially when we go to a health spa and use radiation for our own health or get a CT scan or some other medical treatment."

Lee and the water release naysayers, however, have been attacking Allison after he made a visit to Korea to give a lecture at the National Assembly, during which he said he is confident in the International Atomic Energy Agency's ability to test the safety of the water release and that it would be foolish of Japan to deceive the agency.

"The Japanese government doesn't even talk about drinking the contaminated water," Lee said at a rally. "However, the People Power Party is mocking the people and spreading lies by inviting quack scientists and announcing that drinking a liter or 10 liters [of the water] is harmless."

Lee said that he believes the water is nuclear waste and should be called as such.

"The biggest role of the government is to protect the lives and safety of its people," Lee said. "A government is disqualified in representing the people if it deceives the public, intimidates or causes harm while committing acts that threaten the lives and safety of the people."

The JoongAng Ilbo, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily, asked Allison questions related to the controversy in an email, from his thoughts on attacks against him from Lee, the safety of the water and more.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q. Do you have any responses to DP Rep. Lee Jae-myung's attacks against your remarks?

A. I did not make a claim or state a belief. I reported a calculation that anyone can check. The radioactive potassium-40 in my body, and in everybody else's, has always been there and is harmless. Drinking a liter of undiluted Fukushima would give me the same radiation dose as the potassium-40, but only for two weeks. So it, too, would be harmless.

How do you respond to Lee calling you a "quack" scientist and saying your comments are ridiculous?

Some elementary scientific knowledge would reveal that everything around us is nuclear waste from stellar nuclear explosions that predate the Earth. Some are still radioactive today, like the potassium-40 that decays several thousand times a second, even inside Lee Jae-myung. Recommended treatment? Learn a little science.

There are claims that the PPP invited you to make false claims.

Nobody invited me to say anything. What I say is not for sale.
False? Nobody has contested my calculation which shows a radiation dose far, far less than a CT scan. And a CT scan is not dangerous either.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo argued that if the water from Fukushima meets drinking standards after the treatment procedure, the water is drinkable. Yet there are strong protests against such a claim from the DP. What are your thoughts?

The people of Korea should study science themselves instead of pretending there is a scientific debate when the numbers show that there is not.

What would you like to say about the treated radioactive water to Korea's government or political parties?

Invest in education and understand yourselves instead of being frightened and chasing experts to do your thinking. The outside world has come to respect Korean opinion. Why are you choosing to look ignorant?

I was impressed by the Korean people during my visit, their vitality and hospitality — but less by their pursuit of this water question.

BY PARK TAE-IN, LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]