Leakage of radioactive wastes happened at OJSC Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center due to a crack in the pipeline; there was no environmental contamination, says official website of the shipyard which particularly engaged in utilization of nuclear-powered submarines.
"On Dec 10, 2009 at 02.30 pm 2 cubic meters of low level radioactive effluent leaked while being transferred from storage to reprocessing plant. The leakage was caused by crack at welded joint of transfer pipeline. The pipeline providing transfer of radioactive effluents from storage to reprocessing plant is placed in hermetical assembly channel; thus, there was no environmental contamination occurred", informs the shipyard.
According to press release, channel drainage operations took about two hours and were completed at the same day.
"There is neither contamination of the environment nor personnel irradiation. Radiation background is normal", says the press release.
The accident fact-finding is being carried out. The information has been sent to Rosatom's crisis center, duty officer of Severodvinsk Department of Civil Defense and other appropriate organizations.