Hawaiʻi Company Removes Radiation from Fukushima School

By Wendy Osher

Courtesy photo.

A Hawaiʻi-based company is utilizing unique decontamination technology to help remove radiation from a school campus in Fukushima, Japan.

The remediation effort, led by CBI Polymers Inc., involves the use of DeconGel, a nuclear decontaminant developed by the company.

The product is being used as part of the Restore Playtime project at Asahimachi Baptist Church and Little Lamb Kindergarten.

CBI Polymers donated a supply of the decontaminant, along with manpower to apply the product to affected areas. Once dry, the gel was peeled away, taking harmful radiation with it.

The DeconGel has been used for decontamination of hazardous materials ranging from uranium and cesium to PCB oils and beryllium. The product allows for waterless remediation, eliminating the environmental impacts of liquid runoff, and reducing waste volume and disposal costs by up to 90 percent, according to company officials.

The radiation threat surfaced following the March 11th earthquake and tsunami, an the subsequent break of containment facilities at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

“This cleanup gives our children back their outdoor playtime, not only a basic joy but one critical to successful childhood development,” said Headmistress Tamiko Kokubo.

CBI Polymers initially provided assistance following the Fukushima disaster relief with a donation of product and technical services, valued at $250,000.  Individual stories, such as the plight of the Little Lamb Kindergarten, encouraged the company to become directly involved.

Galen Ho, CEO of CBI Polymers said the application of decontaminant can, “help to restore a sense of wellbeing for the people of Fukushima and other affected areas.”