Small traces of radioactive iodine found in Arctic Norway
Source of the radioactivity blowing in the wind is unknown.
In week 5 (January 28th to February 4th), very small amounts of radioactive iodine were measured at the air-filtering station in Skibotn, the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) reports (in Norwegian).
Skibotn is east of Tromsø on the northern coast to the Norwegian Sea.
DSA has no idea about what could be the source of the radioactive isotope. However, with a half-life of only seven days, iodine-131 means the release has happened recently.
Last February the same isotope was measured in Skibotn, as well as at Svanhovd in the Pasvik valley and in Kajaani, northern Finland, the Barents Observer reported. Also then, the source remained unknown.
Norway’s radiation watchdog, now as then, underlines that the levels measured are so low that there are no threats to human health or the environment.
Related stories from around the North:
Finland: Radioactive material found in scrap metal at northern Finland plant, Yle News
Norway: Russia offers to help Norway deal with its radioactive waste, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Murmansk wants better nuclear and radiation monitoring on road to Norway, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Environmentalists praise ruling on nuclear waste site in Sweden, Radio Sweden
