Ukraine and Norway begin implementing two joint nuclear safety projects

"The first project, NORM, involves joint work on regulations for the safe handling of naturally occurring radioactive materials," stated the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate.

This comprehensive project covers a wide range of aspects, including the analysis of industrial enterprises that generate naturally occurring radioactive materials and assessing existing shortcomings in this area in Ukraine.

The result of this project is expected to be the development of four regulatory documents that will be applied in Ukraine.

The second project, ARGOS, involves the transfer of relevant software and training of Ukrainian specialists to enhance the system of emergency preparedness and response to radiation emergencies.

This project is currently in the implementation phase: training and software configuration are ongoing.

The collaboration between the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate and DSA (Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority) began in 2014. Joint projects initiated after February 24, 2022, include areas such as surveying territories affected by enemy military occupation and providing equipment for radiation reconnaissance in previously occupied areas.

The parties are also working together on developing policies and procedures for restoring regulatory control over nuclear facilities affected by occupation and combat activities, as well as managing critical knowledge needed to protect personnel, the public, and the environment during nuclear or radiation incidents caused by military actions.

It is worth noting that on September 17, the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (DSA) detected increased radiation levels at the border with Russia, with traces of cesium-137 found.

The radioactive isotope is produced from the decay of uranium-235, which is used in nuclear reactor fuel and nuclear weapons.