Reinsalu says source of increased radiation needs to be found
Higher than normal concentration of radioactive particles measured in Northern Europe over the past month is of human origin and its source needs to be ascertained, Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu said.
"Different countries have reported a slight increase in the concentration of radioactive isotopes in the northeastern part of Europe. While this slight increase in radiation is not a health risk, it is in our interests and the interests of international security to determine the cause of this rise for it is surely manmade," Reinsalu wrote on social media on Sunday.
The Nordics reported this week a slight increase in radioactivity in northern Europe. Dutch officials said the makeup of the hike could suggest nuclear core damage with its source in western Russia.
Russian news agency TASS quoted a representative of Rosenergoatom as having said the two nuclear plants in northeastern Russia have not reported any problems.
Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish radiation and nuclear safety watchdogs said this week that they have detected harmless levels of radioactive isotopes over Finland, south Scandinavia and the Arctic.
"Radioactivity is monitored by the Environmental Board in Estonia. Estonia is staying in touch with the International Atomic Energy Agency and other countries," Reinsalu said, adding that he discussed the matter with his Finnish and Baltic colleagues on Sunday morning.
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Editor: Marcus Turovski
