site.btaUPDATED No Cause for Concern about Radiation Contamination in Bulgaria - Experts

There is no radiation contamination at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant [in Ukraine]. The radiation situation in Bulgaria is normal, head of the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (BNRA) Tsanko Bachiyski said here on Friday, referring to information he has received from the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine. According to him, no change in radioactivity has been observed in Bulgaria since the start of the military actions. 

There is no cause for concern about radiation in Bulgaria at this point and there is no reason for people to be taking potassium iodide, the Director of the National Center of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection (NCRRP), Assoc. Prof. Zhana Dzhunova, told BTA earlier on Friday.  

There are media reports that there was a fire at the Zaporizhzhia N-plant after intense fighting in the vicinity, which has been extinguished. “There’s no change in the radiation situation, no buildings of the reactors have been affected. The safety systems are functional and ready,” added Bachiyski. 

The Ukrainian regulator said that the Russian armed forces have assumed control over the N-plant, but the operators are carrying out their duties in accordance with the so-called technical regulations and procedures, which guarantee the N-plant’s safe operation, Bachiyski said. In this situation, there is no direct threat of radioactive contamination at the Zaporizhzhia N-plant’ site or the surrounding areas, he added. “The radiation situation in Bulgaria is also normal, but that does not mean that all of us are not worried about what is happening,” the BNRA head said. He recalled that at the start of military actions, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Director General has issued an address, saying that attacking nuclear power units is unacceptable and a serious violation of the UN Charter and international treaties. 

Dzhunova said that in order to be effective, the potassium iodide tablets must be taken 24 hours before and up to two hours after the radiation appears, she explained, noting that single tablet is sufficient. The World Health Organization published in 2017 very detailed guidelines, which specifies how and when potassium iodide should be taken, she recalled. 

Radiation levels are measured daily in Bulgaria and everything is within the norm, the NCRRP Director said. 

The organization is good and the population will be warned in time whether and how to take potassium iodide tablets, she said, adding that taking potassium iodide preventively not only does not help, but is harmful. 

In case of an accident, people must listen watch and read reliable sources of information. In case a radioactive cloud is reported, people must go indoors and close the windows. Venturing outside is not recommended. These measures have almost the same effect as the potassium iodide tablets, Dzhunova explained. Water, milk and the environment must be tested, she said, advising people to drink bottled water, avoid leafy vegetables and give children powdered milk. 

Commenting the results of BNRA’s inspections, Bachiyski said they show no deviations from the safety standards. The recommendations and prescriptions issued by the inspectors are complied with on time. 

One of BNRA’s main activities is related to prevention control. The inspections carried out by the Agency in 2021 are mainly connected to the completion of measures for improving Kozloduy N-plants units 5 and 6, as well as other nuclear facilities and activities of sites with ionizing radiation. 

The monitoring results show that the Kozloduy N-plant’s units are in good operational condition and the radiation protection barriers are properly maintained, Bachiyski said.