Scientists say Fukushima nuclear water released into the ocean is safe, but should we be worried?

Meanwhile, there is also fierce opposition from some neighbouring countries over the threat to the environment, with Beijing emerging as the biggest critic. 

“There’s a job to be done to reassure the neighbouring countries, and to make sure that the neighbouring countries have access to all the data so that their experts can make their own assessments,” said Prof Grimes. 

“And I think it’s through that openness and transparency of what’s going on that we will relieve those concerns from neighbours.”

The Japanese government is looking to start the release of treated water as early as August, according to some reports. 

The amount of risk involved “is very minimal and is inconsequential”, said Dr John Lee of the University of Michigan’s Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences. 

“So I don’t see any reason why any other countries should be concerned about the release of treated water into the ocean right now,” Dr Lee told CNA’s Asia First on Wednesday. 

He said everyone is exposed to background radiation, including from the ground and the food we eat.

“We are all subject to radiation,” he added. “So we all have to live with it. And it may take some time for people surrounding Fukushima and even in Japan to get a little bit more used to the fact that we all live in the radiation environment.”