Abstract:

Radioactive metal slag was discovered on 28 October 2004 in a train car carrying scrap metal at the YuzhUralLes company located in Shershni, near Chelyabinsk, Russia, reported Novyy region on 29 October 2004. The radioactive slag was uncovered during a routine radiation scan of the cargo.[1] Citing the Main Department of Civil Defense and Emergency Situations in Chelyabinsk Oblast, Novyy region reported that a special commission was set up to establish the origin of the radioactive slag. The current findings of the commission have been passed on to the Procurator's Office and the regional directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. [The reports do not specify the current whereabouts of the radioactive scrap metal.] Another case involving radioactive scrap metal discovered in Chelyabinsk took place on 1 November 2004 at Chelyabvtortsvetmet open joint-stock company, reported UralPolit.Ru on 2 November 2004.[2] This incident involved radioactive scrap aluminum coming to Chelyabinsk from Krasnoyarsk on 1 November 2004. As soon as the 17 ton scrap metal container was identified as emitting radiation, the company notified police, the Department of Civil Defense and Emergency Situations, the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service, and the Radon Special Combine. Subsequent examination of the container revealed that the radiation appeared to come from two parcels of scrap metal, 20kg each [approximately 44lbs], and two pieces of pipe removed from military equipment, 2kg each [approximately 4.5 lbs]. The radioactive material was sent to the Radon Special Combine for storage and disposal.  

Abstract Number:  20040410
Headline:  V Chelyabinske obnaruzhili radioaktivnyi metallolom [Radioactive Scrap Metal Discovered in Chelyabinsk]
Date:  29 October 2004
Bibliography:  Integrum Techno, http://www.integrum.ru
Author:  Pavel Zvarzin
Orig. Src.:  "Novyy region," 29 October 2004
Material:  Waste/Scams/Contaminated materials

Sources:

[1] Maksimova Irina, "Radioaktivnyy metall otpravili na lom" [Radioactive Metal Sent as Scrap], Vechernii Chelyabinsk, 1 November 2004; in Integrum Techno database, http://www.integrum.ru.  
[2] Aleksandr Patan, "V Chelyabinske obnaruzhen radioaktivnyy alyuminiy," [Radioactive Aluminum Uncovered in Chelyabinsk], UralPolit.Ru, 2 November 2004; in Integrum Techno database, http://www.integrum.ru.