Fukushima Daiichi NPS Prompt Report 2014

Level raises no concern for human or animal health; company notes progress in protecting ocean and pledges continued monitoring of water

TOKYO, November 11--Yesterday, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), a private organization in the United States, reported that samples of water taken from the Pacific Ocean off the U.S. West Coast contain very small amounts of Cesium 134, at concentrations it has noted are "well below what is thought to be of human health or fisheries concern," and within safety limits established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration. Noting the report, the Tokyo Electric Power Company issued the following statement:

It has been for quite some time expected by the scientific community that small amounts of radioactivity from the immediate aftermath of the March 2011 accident at Fukushima Daichi Nuclear Power Station would be carried by ocean currents, and the movement of that radioactivity has been closely monitored and reported by various organizations in recent months. TEPCO believes it is important to put the latest findings in perspective:

· No Threat to Health: As the WHOI researcher, Ken Buesseler, has noted, the levels it reported have no impact on the human body, or on fish and shellfish. The observed radioactivity of less than 2 Becquerels per cubic meter is more than 1,000 times lower than acceptable limits in drinking water established by the EPA. As Dr. Buesseler noted yesterday, someone swimming in the water would be exposed to radioactivity "1,000 times less than a single dental X-ray. It will not deter me from swimming in the Pacific." He also noted that Cesium "does not bioaccumulate [in fish and shellfish] the way many other elements do, like mercury."

· Water Management at Fukushima Has Improved Significantly Since the Accident: After the initial accident more than three years ago, the flow of contaminated water was significantly reduced and currently is so low that the ocean water near the facility has radioactivity levels much lower than the Japanese regulatory limit.

· Continuous Monitoring and Reporting: Monitoring of water both in the ocean and at the Fukushima site is being performed on a continuous basis both by TEPCO and independent authorities. TEPCO and the Japanese government are committed to transparency and report the actual measurements on the websites of Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority and Fukushima Prefecture (Japanese only), as well as our own website: www.tepco.co.jp.

· Doing Even More: At Fukushima, TEPCO - in partnership with the Japanese government and organizations from around the world - is doing even more to prevent contamination, to clean water that does become contaminated, and to contain that water safely. To learn more about water management and treatment at Fukushima, go to
http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp-com/release/index_ho-e.html.

TEPCO remains committed to working with governments, and international organizations to monitor ocean radioactivity, promptly and accurately report results, and continuing the extensive efforts at Fukushima both to safeguard water quality and safely proceed with the long-term work of decommissioning Fukushima Daiichi and helping to revitalize Fukushima's communities. We encourage those interested in learning more about Fukushima to visit
http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/decommision/index-e.html

About TEPCO

Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc. (TEPCO) is Japan's largest power company, supplying energy to the greater Kanto area, including Japan's two most populous cities, Tokyo and Yokohama. Its 35,000 employees are committed to providing safe, reliable power to its 29.0 million customers, diversifying energy resources to ensure sustainability, and contributing to economic growth while fully meeting its responsibilities after the Fukushima Daiichi accident.
TEPCO website: http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/index-e.html
TEPCO facebook page: http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/facebook/index-e.html