02/02 Another Accident Shows Crisis in Russian Nuke Sector

[the.greenbase@green2.greenpeace.org]

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Original-TO:      World Press (Green2:Green2:Gnl:INET)
Original-Cc:      The Greenbase (Green2:Green2:Gnl:Main)
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               GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE
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>> GREENPEACE SAYS DIMITROVGRAD NUCLEAR ACCIDENT SHOWS CRISIS
SITUATION IN RUSSIAN NUCLEAR SECTOR
 
KIEV, 2 February, 1996 (GP)  An accident at the Russian
research reactor facility Dimitrovgrad last Wednesday typifies
the crisis situation of the Russian nuclear sector according
to Greenpeace.
 
The accident occurred when a construction crane hit vital
safety equipment at the Dimitrovgrad boiling water reactor
(BWR) causing it to be immediately shut down.  During this
process an estimated one tonne of radioactive steam escaped
contaminating the outside environment.  Plant officials in
Russia reported that the
radioactive steam contained cobalt, radioactive iodine and
manganese.  There are conflicting reports at to the quantity
of material and levels of contamination.
 
'This is yet another example of the catastrophic safety threat
posed by Russian nuclear reactors,' said Greenpeace Russia's
Edward Gismatullin.  'This incident calls for the immediate
attention and the need for immediate shut down of all 
research reactors currently operating in Russia.' 
 
In October last year, Greenpeace released a report based on
offical Russian government information, which showed the
crisis of the Russian nuclear industry.  The report
highlighted the growing number of accidents and mounting
problems of radioactive waste throughout 1995. 
 
 
Contact:
Edvard Gismatullin, Antony Froggatt, Greenpeace:
+380-44-240-0300 or 240-0301
Cindy Baxter, Greenpeace Communications: +44171-833-0600
Greenpeace Moscow: +7095-251-9073
 
Notes to Editors:
 
1.  The damaged reactor is one of eight boiling water research
reactors at the Dimitrovgrad site in the Volga region of
Russia.  

2.  According to the chief engineer at the Dimitrovgrad
reactor,  the contaminated snow around the facility was 
gather after the accident to be disposed of as liquid waste.
The Dimitrovgrad facility is known for its disposal of liquid
radioactive waste by pumping it directly into the environment.
 
3.  There have been reports of a shut down of another nuclear
reactor in the Ukraine but details have been limited. 
Apparently there was no release of radioactive material.

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