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Abstract Number:	20060150
Headline:	Chernobyl-like Slovenliness Today: RTGs Are Being Vandalized Near Norilsk
Date:	21 September 2006
Bibliography:	Bellona.ru; www.bellona.no
Author:	Rashid Alimov, Vera Ponomarev
Orig. Src.:
Case:
Material:	Radioactive isotopes

Abstract:
 

Four dismantled Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) were discovered at the end of March 2006 near Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk Region, Russia. The RTGs were probably dismantled by scrap metal scavengers. None of the radioactive material they contain was damaged or removed, however. Each RTG of this type contains an intensely radioactive heat source--strontium-90--the release of which could expose the surrounding area to heavy levels of radiation.  Many experts also consider strontium-90 as a material suitable for the fabrication of a radiological dispersal device (sometimes termed a "dirty bomb") by terrorists.

To reduce the environmental and terrorist threat posed by such RTGs, which are used in remote locations in Russia to power navigational beacons and other equipment, Norway has agreed to finance the replacement by 2009 of RTGs used by the military in Northwest Russia with solar batteries.[1]   Other countries are also involved in the effort to replace RTGs: the United States along the Northern Sea Route and in the Pacific (the United States also plans an RTG database), Germany in the Baltic, Denmark (providing alternative power sources for Baltic installations that formerly used RTGs), Canada (developing an RTG Master Plan, contribution to the Norwegian program along with France), France, England, and Sweden (improving the regulatory system relevant to RTGs), as well as Russia itself (which as of October 2006 had removed 77 RTGs, disposed of 74, undertaken a search for lost RTGs, and worked on mitigation of the consequences of damaged RTGs).[2]

Sources:
[1] "Norwegiya vydelila dopolnitelno bolee 3 milliona dollarov norwezhskikh kron na demontazh radioisotopnykh generatorov" (Norway allotted another 3 million NOK for the replacement of RTGs), Bellona, 1 December 2005; www.bellona.ru.
[2] A. Grigoriev, M. Sazhnev, and N. Sherbina, "Main achievements in replacement and disposal of RTGs in Russia," presentation at meeting of the Contact Expert Group, Munich, Germany, 11-13 October 2006. {Entered 10/17/2006 RN}

The Center for Nonproliferation Studies has not verified the accuracy or veracity of this report or the facts presented therein.  For more information on the material in this database please contact Dr. Scott Parrish at sparrish@miis.edu.

This material is produced independently for NTI by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2003 by MIIS.

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