A worker has recorded levels of radioactivity above the norm. Checks and a parliamentary question are triggered. No risk for the external environment, but investigations continue. Inside the ENEA Research Center in Casaccia, located on the northern outskirts of Rome, a case of plutonium contamination has been detected on a worker. During the usual activities of radioactive waste management, the employee showed levels of radioactivity above the norm. However, the first analyses have excluded immediate risks for human health and for the external environment.
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According to Sogin, the public company that has managed the site since 2003, the event was recorded on November 21. “The monitoring has given comforting results”, the company said, categorically ruling out any environmental contamination. The story emerged after a parliamentary question presented by some Democratic Party deputies to the Minister of the Environment, Gilberto Pichetto. The MPs asked for clarification regarding an alleged contamination at the former nuclear site, citing “press reports” that spoke of a worker exposed to plutonium.
The position of the authorities and the history of the Casaccia site
The National Inspectorate for Nuclear Safety (ISIN) confirmed that it has launched an immediate inspection, collecting testimonies from those responsible. At the moment, the authorities exclude serious consequences, but a second inspection has already been scheduled to investigate the dynamics of the accident. "It remains essential to ascertain how the contamination occurred in an environment that should guarantee maximum safety," ISIN specified.
The director of the ENEA Nuclear Department, Alessandro Dodaro, explained that the quantities of plutonium present in the center are minimal and that the safety protocols are extremely rigorous. “It is possible that the worker accidentally came into contact with an infinitesimal quantity of plutonium. Our controls are so thorough that we also detect traces that are not dangerous to health”, Dodaro said, adding that similar incidents have occurred in the past due to the presence of natural uranium in the waters of the area, without any impact on health.
The Casaccia Center, born as a nuclear research center, was converted in the 80s into a center dedicated to the environment and energy. Until 1987, the production of plutonium from uranium was studied here. After Italy's exit from nuclear power, the material was transferred to the United States, but in the center's machinery there are still a few grams left for research and disposal activities.
Article published on November 30, 2024 - 15:22
It is important that safety is guaranteed in these centers, but there have been many accidents in the past. We hope that the authorities will do their job and not neglect the health of workers and the environment.