Radionuclide Content In The Air Has Increased In The Chernobyl Zone

Due to an ongoing wildfire.

Due to the fire, which continues on the territory of the Chernobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve, the concentration of caesium-137 radionuclide has increased in the surface air layer. In samples taken on May 8, 30-150 meters from the active burning sites, it amounted to 680 μBq/m3 - this value exceeds the control levels established for these areas, but remains well below the maximum permissible levels set by the Radiation Safety Standards of Ukraine. This is reported by the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of this country (Gosatomregulirovanie).

The Gosatomregulirovanie notes that the Radiation Safety Standards in Ukraine describe the permissible level of cesium-137 in the air as 0.8 Bq/m3 - that is, more than a thousand times higher than the one currently recorded in the exclusion zone.

According to the results of spectrometric studies of the DSP "ECOCENTER", other radionuclides typical for the spectrum of emergency contamination of the exclusion zone, in particular, strontium-90, americium-241 and plutonium-238, -239 and -240, were not found in the samples of the surface air layer. The fire covered protected areas that perform barrier functions and do not contain places of temporary localization of radioactive waste generated as a result of liquidation of consequences of the Chernobyl accident.

The power of equivalent dose of gamma radiation is currently within the values of multi-year observations in the exclusion zone and within the background fluctuations on the whole territory of Ukraine.

According to the forecast estimates of experts of the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety. At the same time, for the personnel involved in extinguishing the fire in the exclusion zone, the recommendations on the use of personal respiratory protection equipment, compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards and labor protection remain relevant.

Reminder, for several days Ukrainian rescuers have been eliminating a large-scale forest fire in the exclusion zone of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The flames have not yet spread to the Belarusian side. According to May 8, the estimated area of the fire already exceeded 1,100 hectares.

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