The outcomes of the radiation background measurements held by the experts of the independent environmental mission at the Rostov NPP and its location area are within the natural background range and coincide with the measurements provided by the nuclear power specialists.

This was the conclusion made by the mission participants, the experts of the interregional public environment protection movement ‘OKA’ following their 3-days’ research at the Rostov NPP and in the city of Volgodonsk.

During the mission held as a part of the long-term ‘Public control for nuclear power’ program, the representatives of the ‘OKA’ movement, which comprises scientists and experts involved in radiation and environmental safety, met with the NPP management team to discuss different aspects of the nuclear power plant’s environmental security.

The team made over 200 measurements in the industrial spaces of the Rostov NPP alone. ‘Our equipment shows the results of 0.07 – 0.14 mcSv/h, which corresponds to the natural background typical for this region. It means that the safety standards are top-notch and the operational staff in charge of the plant works in a professional manner’, Alan Khasiev, the head of the ‘OKA’ movement, said.

The environmentalists held their research in specific spots within the nuclear power plants spaces that they chose on their own, as well as outside and at social facilities of the city of Volgodonsk. All measurements were recorded on the video and photographed and fixed in protocols.

Following their visit, the independent environmentalists met the public and the media in the city. Alan Khasiev informed the attendees of the review activities held, the organization’s operations and thanked the Rostov NPP management and the authorities of the city of Volgodonsk for giving the mission an opportunity to visit all facilities of interest. He stressed that it was important that the nuclear power experts were very open and provided information about the company’s operation.

‘The Rostov NPP and other companies of the Rosatom State Corporation divisions based in Volgodonsk are, without a doubt, strong proponents of environment protection. This level of public control over the company operation is certainly very important for the city residents’, Yuri Lebedev, the deputy chairman of the Volgodonsk City Duma, stated.

He also suggested that the environmentalists should extend their control area and combine their efforts with those of other organizations to address the environment-related challenges faced by our city and region. In particular, Mr. Lebedev paid attention to the state of the Tsimlyansk Reservoir and the fact that measures have to be taken immediately to improve the parameters of this man-made water body.

Awareness building is an important part of the ‘OKA’ environmental movement activities. Youth organizations are their most proactive partners in this regard. ‘OKA’ initiated the execution of cooperation agreement with the young nuclear power experts of the Rostov NPP aimed at consolidating their efforts in resolving environment-related issues and strengthening the awareness.