Radioactive traces detected across Europe 'came from Russia'
Concentrations of Ruthenium-106 not harmful to human health, says French agency
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A radioactive cloud of pollution that spread across Europe in September and October likely originated in Russia, or possibly Kazakhstan, French nuclear authorities believe.
The potential nuclear accident that launched the cloud most likely took place between the Volga river and the Ural Mountains in the last week of September, IRSN said.
Ruthenium-106 particles were detected by several countries in concentrations not harmful to human health, according to the agency, but disappeared from France in mid-October.
Jean-Marc Peres, IRSN’s director, told Reuters: “Russian authorities have said they are not aware of an accident on their territory,” adding that his team had not yet contacted Kazakh authorities.
Germany’s Federal Office for Radiation Protection said an accident at a nuclear power plant could be “ruled out” due to the type of particle detected.
It said: “Ruthenium-106 is used as a radiation source in cancer therapy for the treatment of ocular tumours. Ruthenium can also occur during the reprocessing of nuclear fuel elements.”
The release of nuclear material was of a scale that, had it occurred in France, would have required the evacuation of or sheltering of people within “several kilometres” of the origin point, IRSN said.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments