Discovered radioactive source in a 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 1^st August 2008 the portal radiation monitoring system of the “Stomana Industry” S.A.– Pernik detected elevated radiation level in a scrap loaded railway wagon. The railway wagon has been stationed on a separate track on a special platform on site and has been put under surveillance.

The measurements have shown 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 values of the natural gamma background in the area of the Pernik town are between 0,07 and 0,11 µSv/h. Following a field spectrometric analysis, the radioactive isotope Co-60 (Cobalt-60) has been identified.

On 5^th August 2008 Emergency team compost by representative from NRA, Ministry of Health and General Department “Civil Protection” – Ministry of Emergency Situations partly unloaded the wagon. A source of ionising radiation, having an H-shape, containing Co-60, was discovered. The maximum measured value of the gamma dose rate was 11,6 µSv/h.

After additional measurements the wagon was released for unloading. The source was put in a safe place for temporary safe storage, and latter will be disposed as radioactive waste by the State Enterprise “Radioactive Waste”.

There is no any danger for the population and the environment.