Gamma radiation levels in the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl nuclear plant have fallen, on average, to a tenth of previous levels following completion of the New Safe Confinement (NSC), according to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
Staff from the plant's radiation safety department measured radiation levels using a drone fitted with an electronic dosimeter at different heights (30m, 60m and 90m) and distances from the NSC (120m, 266m and 355m).
The measurements were taken using an electronic dose meter DMC 2000S manufactured by MGPI mounted on the drone.
In the first plane, the radiation level fell by 9.9 times, in the second by 20.7 times and in third by 12.6 times, compared with similar measurements taken 13 years ago by the Institute for Nuclear Power Plant Safety.
Construction of the NSC, which is to be formally commissioned next month, was financed through the Chernobyl Shelter Fund, managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. It is designed to prevent the release of contaminated material from the shelter which was hastily erected over the damaged Chernobyl 4 in the immediate wake of the 1986 accident.
Photo: Drones take measurements of gamma levels around Chernobyl (Credit: Chernobyl NPP)
