Radiation leak found at Russian nuclear plant Tuesday, 5 December 2000 16:58 (ET)

Radiation leak found at Russian nuclear plant

MOSCOW, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Workers at the Novovoronezhskaya nuclear power plant near the central Russian city of Voronezh, 280 miles south of Moscow, have reported a mysterious rise in radioactivity in the soil near the plant, the Atomic Energy Ministry said Tuesday.

Experts sent to the plant from Moscow are taking samples of soil and water in the region trying to pinpoint the source of radiation. One official said a pipe carrying water from the cooling system of two old reactors might have sprung a leak, contaminating a small area. The ministry said the polluted soil will be removed for decontamination.

There has been no registered increase in radioactivity in the nearby River Don, a major source of drinking water and an abundant source of fish.

Ministry sources say the radiation leak was first detected six days ago. The exact level of radiation in the area has not been announced, and the area has been sealed off with barbed wire.

Three reactors at the plant are continuing to produce power.

Radiation leak found at Russian nuclear plant Tuesday, 5 December 2000 16:58 (ET)

Radiation leak found at Russian nuclear plant

MOSCOW, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Workers at the Novovoronezhskaya nuclear power plant near the central Russian city of Voronezh, 280 miles south of Moscow, have reported a mysterious rise in radioactivity in the soil near the plant, the Atomic Energy Ministry said Tuesday.

Experts sent to the plant from Moscow are taking samples of soil and water in the region trying to pinpoint the source of radiation. One official said a pipe carrying water from the cooling system of two old reactors might have sprung a leak, contaminating a small area. The ministry said the polluted soil will be removed for decontamination.

There has been no registered increase in radioactivity in the nearby River Don, a major source of drinking water and an abundant source of fish.

Ministry sources say the radiation leak was first detected six days ago. The exact level of radiation in the area has not been announced, and the area has been sealed off with barbed wire.

Three reactors at the plant are continuing to produce power.

http://www.burstnet.com/cgi-bin/ads/ad8226a.cgi/2726/RETURN-CODE

-- Carl Jenkins (somewherepress@aol.com), December 05, 2000