Norway detects elevated levels of radioactive caesium near Arctic border with Russia

The Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) said in a statement on Tuesday that it had measured “very low levels” of radioactive caesium in Svanhovd and Viksjoefjell near the Arctic border with Russia.

“The authorities detected elevated levels of radioactive caesium (Cs-137) in Svanhovd from 9 to 16 September and in Viksjoefjell from 5 to 12 September, but these levels did not pose a risk to people or the environment,” it added. Further analyses will be carried out in the coming days. Other measurement centres in Norway and Finland did not detect increased radiation.

– Russian services do not detect increased levels of radioactive caesium near Norway, Kremlin spokesman said on Wednesday Dmitry Peskov.

– There were no warnings from our services about the increased content of these or other isotopes. There were also no warnings about threats to people. Therefore, I have nothing to add here – Peskov said when asked about the reports in the case.

In response to the DSA reports, the Russian concern Rosatom said that the radiation level “corresponds to natural levels.” The statement added that in the Murmansk region, the facilities at the nuclear power plant on the Kola Peninsula and the icebreakers of Atomflot (Rosatom's subsidiary, which manages the fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers – ed.) are operating normally.

Caesium-137 is a fission product produced in nuclear reactors. Although there are reactors on icebreakers and submarines operating in the Barents Sea, it is questionable whether they could be the source of the observed increase in radiation, the Norwegian portal The Barents Observer assessed. Small leaks of caesium-137 are more likely to occur during reactor start-up or maintenance, or during handling of spent nuclear fuel, and may also occur as a result of forest fires.

Cesium-137 is well absorbed into the body because it is similar to potassium and sodium, meaning it builds into nerve and muscle tissue. It can cause diseases of the immune system and lungs.

The Barents Observer recalled that Russian weapons designers from Rosatom worked all summer at the Pankov test site on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. It was there that tests of the Burevestnik cruise missile with an experimental nuclear drive were carried out, providing, in the designers' assumption, unlimited range. However, the work is top secret and little information is publicly disclosed.

According to the portal, although there are no official reports of Burevestnik tests, clues can be found by examining daily updated satellite images. The Barents Observer has reported several cargo ships and special purpose vessels in the waters near the test site in recent months, while in recent weeks two blue Il-76 Rosatom transport aircraft have been periodically stationed at Rogachevo air base on Novaya Zemlya. The blue aircraft are believed to be conducting operations related to Burevestnik tests, the portal said.