The Minister of Energy Traycho Traykov ordered an urgent inspection and taking measures to remove radioactive waste from the terrain in the capital district “Malinova Dolina“, personally attending the inspection on site. The reason was a signal of radiation contamination at a former site of the Central Isotope Repository, reports Nova TV.
According to Traykov, radiation background values were recorded in individual points that reached between 10 and 70 times above natural levels. The measurements were made about 10 centimeters above the soil surface. Despite the increased values, the authorities assure that, if the introduced access restrictions are observed, there is no immediate risk to human health and the environment.
Teams of the State Enterprise “Radioactive Waste“ have carried out a full survey of the area with specialized equipment for identifying isotopes. The results have been reported to the minister, as well as to representatives of the National Center for Radiobiology and Radiation Protection and other institutions.
The minister called on citizens not to pass through the fenced area, emphasizing that the state must take final actions to restore and secure the terrain. He defined the case as a long-standing problem that is unacceptable to remain unresolved in a residential area of the capital.
Traykov has assigned the State Enterprise “Radioactive Waste“ to prepare a detailed report with an assessment of the necessary funds and measures, which will be submitted for consideration to the Council of Ministers.