Discovered radioactive source in a Rumanian railway wagon, loaded with scrap metal

Site with SIR or place of the event: “Stomana Industry” S.A.– Pernik

Event description:

The Emergency centre of the NRA was notified that on 28^th July 2009 the portal radiation monitoring system of the “Stomana Industry” S.A. – Pernik detected elevated radiation level in a scrap loaded railway wagon, delivered by “Metalimpex” Ltd. - Romania. The railway wagon has been stationed on a separate track on a special platform on site and has been put under surveillance.

The detailed measurements have shown only slightly elevated radiation levels, up to 0,10 µSv/h above the natural background, on the surface of a small area on the side of the wagon. As a reference, the value of the natural gamma background in the same area at the moment was 0,06 µSv/h. Following a field spectrometric analysis, the radioactive isotope Cs-137 (cesium-137) has been identified. An expert estimate was made on that there is no any danger for the personnel and for spreading of contamination outside the wagon.
On 31^st July 2009 the NRA notified the Rumanian nuclear regulatory body for the case.

About 5:30p.m. on 6^th August 2009, the wagon passed the Bulgarian-Rumanian border in coordination with the Rumanian side.