 INES 1 |
Orphan source found |
On 20th May 2015 the RSD's inspectors were informed by an authorized technical service on increased radiation in a truck loaded with metal scrap (aluminium, copper and messing), with dose rate of 368 μSv/h measured on the surface of the truck.
The truck was loaded in metal scrap yard in Skopje, Macedonia and it was intended for export from Macedonia to a facility in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The truck was unloaded and one radioactive source was found - 1 disk of dismantled radioactive lightning rod which was identified to be Eu-152. Dose rate at the surface of the disk was measured 4,5mSv/h. Background dose rate of 110 nSv/h was measured. Found radioactive lightning rod was stored at the temporary storage facility RZ Tehnicka kontrola in Skopje.
Found radioactive lightning rod originates from Macedonia, but it is not known from which facility at this time. According national database of installed radioactive lightning rods all installed radioactive sources in Macedonia are Category 4.
It is not known if the source caused overexposure of members of the public.
The event is rated as level 1 on the INES scale.
Event date: Wed, 20-05-2015
