Date: 1999

Location: Kingisepp, Leningrad region, Russia

Type of event: orphaned radioisotope source

Description:

The radioisotope core of a radiothermal generator was recovered at a bus station in Kingisepp. Radiation levels at the surface of the source were 1000 rad/hour. The source had been stolen from a lighthouse 50 km away by three men stealing metal to sell as scrap; all three died of radiation injury.

Consequences: 3 fatalities.

References:

• Alimov, Rashid, 2 April 2005, "Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators," on line, Bellona [http://www.bellona.no/en/international/russia/navy/northern_fleet/incidents/37598.html].
• Standring, W. J. F., O. G. Selanaes, M. Sneve, I. E. Finne, A. Hosseini, I. Amundsen, and P. Strand, 2005, "Assessment of environmental, health and safety consequences of decommissioning radioisotope thermal generators (RTGs) in Northwest Russia," StralevernRapport 2005:4, on line at Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority [http://www.nrpa.no/dokumentarkiv/StralevernRapport4_05.pdf].

© 2005 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 23 November 2005.
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