Discovered radioactive sources in 2 railway wagons, loaded with scrap metal

Site with SIR or place of the event: “Kremikovtzi” S.A. - Sofia

Event description:

The Emergency centre of the NRA was notified that on 24^th August 2008 in the territory of “Kremikovtzi” S.A.was detected elevated radiation level in 2 scrap loaded railway wagons. The measurements made by the experts from the General department “Civil protection”-Ministry of emergency situations and NRA showed maximum dose rate values in different parts the wagons about 1,2 µSv/h (the natural values for the area are about 0,30 µSv/h). Emergency team compost by representative from the NRA, Ministry of Health, General Department “Civil Protection” – Ministry of Emergency Situations partly unloaded wagons. The discovered radiation sources present 2 capsules, containing Ra-226 (radium-226). The most probably the sources had been a part of an instrument for vertical and horizontal levelling.

The sources were put in a safe place for temporary safe storage, before their disposal as radioactive waste by the State Enterprise “Radioactive Waste”.

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