Discovered radioactive source in scrap metal

Site with SIR or place of the event: “Mackmetal Holding” Plc., base “Kremikovtsi”

Event description:

On 30^th October the Emergency centre of the NRA receives a signal from “Mackmetal Holding” Plc. on registration of elevated radiation level during incoming radiation control over a metal scrap loaded truck. During the measurement elevated radiation levels, up to 0,51 µSv/h, were detected on the surface of a small area close to the end of the truck. The truck has been separated and secured.
An emergency group of the “Emergency-rescue activities” to the territorial directorate “Civil protection” – Sofia city. Following a field spectrometric analysis, the radioactive isotope, causing the radiation – Ra-226 (radium-226) has been identified.
The measured values of the gamma dose rate, in contact with the surface of the discovered SIR – hemisphere, containing luminous painting with Ra-226, were up to 90 µSv/h.
After additional measurements the truck was released for unloading. The source has been put in a safe place for temporary safe storage, and latter will be disposed as radioactive waste by the State Enterprise “Radioactive Waste”.