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No evidence of radiological exposure hazard at Rybnitsa steel factory, says Moldova Mission
CHISINAU 4 November 2004
CHISINAU, 4 November 2004 - The OSCE Mission to Moldova presented today in Chisinau the findings of an assessment mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the radiological situation in the metallurgical factory in Rybnitsa, situated in Moldova's separatist Transdniestrian region.
In its assessment, the IAEA confirmed that three radiological incidents took place in Rybnitsa in 2001, 2002, and 2003 involving the melting of orphan radioactive sources, specifically industrial gauges.
The IAEA report reveals that residues of Cobalt60 and Cesium137 were found on the plant site and in the facilities where the contaminated products were collected and stored temporarily.
However, according to the IAEA experts, remedial actions carried out after the accidents appear appropriate and the report concludes that it is unlikely that any radiation exposure to the general public resulted from the source melting.
The IAEA experts consider the waste storage facility constructed after the first and second accident and the work carried out to clean-up the site and build a new store for the waste resulting from the latest melting accident appropriate.
The report also concludes that there is no radiation exposure hazard to operational personnel at the steel production facility. The IAEA also remarked that the plant management demonstrated a good knowledge of, and commitment to, radiation safety and that it provided all required information and facilitated access to plant installations.
The assessment is based on an OSCE facilitated fact-finding mission by two IAEA scientists during December 2003, and takes into account on-site measurements and laboratory results of samples taken in and around the plant.
It followed a request from the National Committee for Radiological Protection of the Government of Moldova and the Moldovan Ministry of Ecology, for OSCE assistance concerning alleged radiation poisoning at the steel plant. The report concludes with a number of recommendations to improve safety at the plant.
"The OSCE Mission to Moldova stands ready to facilitate further IAEA expert assistance to improve the capabilities of local radiation safety authorities," said the Head of the OSCE Mission, Ambassador William Hill.
In its assessment, the IAEA confirmed that three radiological incidents took place in Rybnitsa in 2001, 2002, and 2003 involving the melting of orphan radioactive sources, specifically industrial gauges.
The IAEA report reveals that residues of Cobalt60 and Cesium137 were found on the plant site and in the facilities where the contaminated products were collected and stored temporarily.
However, according to the IAEA experts, remedial actions carried out after the accidents appear appropriate and the report concludes that it is unlikely that any radiation exposure to the general public resulted from the source melting.
The IAEA experts consider the waste storage facility constructed after the first and second accident and the work carried out to clean-up the site and build a new store for the waste resulting from the latest melting accident appropriate.
The report also concludes that there is no radiation exposure hazard to operational personnel at the steel production facility. The IAEA also remarked that the plant management demonstrated a good knowledge of, and commitment to, radiation safety and that it provided all required information and facilitated access to plant installations.
The assessment is based on an OSCE facilitated fact-finding mission by two IAEA scientists during December 2003, and takes into account on-site measurements and laboratory results of samples taken in and around the plant.
It followed a request from the National Committee for Radiological Protection of the Government of Moldova and the Moldovan Ministry of Ecology, for OSCE assistance concerning alleged radiation poisoning at the steel plant. The report concludes with a number of recommendations to improve safety at the plant.
"The OSCE Mission to Moldova stands ready to facilitate further IAEA expert assistance to improve the capabilities of local radiation safety authorities," said the Head of the OSCE Mission, Ambassador William Hill.