Date: May-June 2001

Location: Kandalaksha Nature Preserve, Murmansk region, Russia

Type of event: orphaned source

Description:

In May four individuals partially dismantled a radiothermal generator shielding at a lighthouse near Kandalaksha, seeking to steal metal to sell as scrap; they removed three radioisotope power sources. All four were hospitalized with radiation injuries. The sources were recovered in June 2001. The recovery operation was supported by the government of Finnmark, a province of Norway.

Consequences: 4 injuries.

References:

• Alimov, Rashid, April 2005, "Radioisotope thermoelectric generators," Bellona, on line [http://www.bellona.org/english_import_area/international/russia/navy/northern_fleet/incidents/37598].
• Standring, W. J. F., M. Dowdall, M. Sneve, O. G. Selnaes, and I. Amundsen, 2007, "Environmental, health and safety assessment of decommisioning radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) in northwest Russia," Journal of Radiological Protection, 27:321-331.
• 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].

© 2005-2007, 2008 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 28 February 2008.
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