Since the publication of the IRSN information report of June 30, 2020, measurements available abroad have made it possible to model the transport of air masses in Western Europe and to determine a plausible geographic area of the release origin which is located on a territory covering part of the Baltic countries and Western Russia.

Measurements in France from the IRSN’s OPERA monitoring network do not reveal the presence of radionuclides linked to this release.

Regarding the cause of the release, new measurements confirm that the radionuclides identified and their proportions are characteristic of irradiated nuclear fuel.

The simulations make it possible to estimate the exposures that could result from the release. These are low in the immediate vicinity of the point of release and insignificant at longer distance. 

Download IRSN information report from July 22, 2020: Detection of an increase in airborne radioactivity levels in Northern Europe – Update of July 22, 2020

Modeling of the dispersio​n in Europe of the air masses slightly contaminated by artificial radionuclides - Version of July 22, 2020

The safety and radiation protection authorities of the Scandinavian countries have reported an increase in atmospheric radioactivity detected by their monitoring stations during June 2020. The levels recorded in these countries are very low and do not pose any risk to the public or to the environment.

To date, available measurements from the IRSN’s OPERA monitoring network show no abnormal increase in the level of atmospheric radioactivity in France.

The origin of the release is not identified at this stage. Based on the available measurements, IRSN is conducting investigations, including simulations, to better understand the source location and possible causes of this increase.

Download IRSN information report of June 30, 2020: Detection of an increase in airborne radioactivity levels in Northern Eur​ope

Since the publication of our information report of April 24, 2020, it seems that the fire outbreaks are now extinct. The new information report published today by IRSN contains the latest information available and updates the modeling of the trajectories of the fire-contaminated air masses.

It also offers a summary of events that have occurred and of their consequences, particularly in France. All the measurements, the modeling results and the dosimetric estimates confirm that these fires did not have any health consequences on the national territory.

Download the IRSN information note of May 05, 2020: Fires in Ukraine in the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl power plant: latest news and summary of consequences

Modeling of the dispersio​n in Europe of the air masses from the fires in the Chernobyl region: version of May 05, 2020

Since the release of the information notes on April 7, 15 and 17, 2020, the number of fires in Ukraine has decreased. As of April 24, 2020, however, a few outbursts remain in the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl power plant.

IRSN new information report updates the previous situation points by setting out the state of the fires to date and by updating trajectories of the fire-contaminated air masses.

As promised, IRSN publishes the results of its first measurements, which notably concern the airborne 137Cs activity in France of 137Cs-labeled air masses from the fire area. These measurements show very tiny levels of radioactivity, consistent with its modeling results.

Download the IRSN information note of 24 April 2020: Fires in Ukraine in the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl power plant: First results of 137Cs me​asurements in France

Modeling of the dispersio​n in Europe of the air masses from the fires in the Chernobyl region: version of April 24, 2020

The fires in Ukraine, which had been announced extinguished on April 15, 2020, were reactivated under the effect of strong winds which stirred up the embers of previous fires.

On April 17, 2020, IRSN produced a new information report explaining the evolution of the fires compared to the situation presented on April 15, 2020, and specifying some elements relating to the nuclear installations located on the site of the Chernobyl NPP.

Download the IRSN information note of 17 April 2020: Fires in Ukraine in the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl power station: Situation report

Modeling of the dispersio​n in Europe of the air masses from the fires in the Chernobyl region: version of April 17, 2020

This update presents a new version of the modeling of the air mass trajectories from the fire area and now covers the period from 3 to 20 April 2020.

The red triangle represents the l​ocation of the fires, the time is in UTC.

The radioactive release used was evaluated by reverse modeling (use of available measurements). This simulation was performed on the assumption that the average radioactive releases, which occurred between April 3 and 12, 2020, will continue from April 14 to 20, 2020.

Since IRSN information report of April 7, 2020 (read in French), the fires in Ukraine have spread to reach the environment near the Chernobyl plan​t. According to the Ukrainian authorities, these fires are now under control.

IRSN publishes a new information report which provides an assessment of the possible radiological impacts for the responders as well as for the inhabitants of Kiev. It also takes stock of the levels of activity in the air likely to be detected in France due to the transport of air masses contaminated by these fires.

Download IRSN information report of April 15,2020: Fires in Ukraine in the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl power plant

Modeling of the dispersio​n in Europe of the air masses from the fires in the Chernobyl region: version of April 15, 2020

IRSN has performed a modeling estimation of the amount of radioactivity re-emitted by fires, and a modeling of the plume dispersion over Europe.

The radioactive release used was evaluated by reverse modeling (use of available measurements) over the period from April 3 to 12, 2020, the dispersion simulation continues until April 14, 2020.

​An earthquake occurred on November 11, 2019 in the Ardèche region in Le Teil municipality at approximately 10 km to the west of the city Montelimar. The ground motion lasted several seconds in the vicinity of the epicenter and was felt by the population in the south-east of France, particularly up in Saint-Etienne, Grenoble, Lyon, Montpellier and Marseille.

Download the November 12th information report: Le Teil Earthquake of November 11, 2019

The French national network for environmental radioactivity measurements centralizes all the monitoring data on environmental radioactivity in France and ensures their quality and harmonization through an accreditation procedure. Its website is now available in English.

The national network RNM has been developed under the aegis of the Nuclear Safety Authority ASN, and its daily management has been entrusted to IRSN. Since 2010, it has made accessible to all, with transparency, the 300 000 measurements carried out annually in France in the various compartments of the environment (air, water, soil, fauna and flora) and in foodstuff.

One of the strengths of the RNM lies in manifold information sources: measurements come from the governmental services and its public establishments, from operators of nuclear installations or from other public, private or associative actors.

More information: Visit the RNM Website https://www.mesure-radioactivite.fr/en

IRSN publishes a new report that summarizes the various investigations it conducted following the detection in October 2017 of Ruthenium 106 in France and Europe.

This report was presented by IRSN on January 31, 2018 in Moscow (Russia) on the occasion of the first meeting of the International Commission of Experts set up by the Russian authorities, dedicated to the examination of the origin of Ruthenium 106.

Download IRSN information report of February 6, 2018: Detection in October 2017 of Ruthenium 106 in France and in Europe : Results of IRSN’s investigations - Update of information report of November 9, 2017

Download IRSN report of January 2018: Report on the IRSN’s investigations following the widespread detection of Ruthenium 106 in Europe early October 2017