(April 24, 1998) On April 6, 1998, the Tomsk Ecological Students' Inspection (TESI), together with WISE-Tomsk, Youth Parliament and other NGOs organized +5 commemoration day for one of the most serious accidents at the Siberian Chemical Complex (SCC).
(490.4857) WISE Tomsk - It was that very accident which had proved that insufficient control system at SCC and the incapability of local authorities to organize citizens' evacuation in case of an emergency. Only due to favorable weather conditions did the consequences of the accident turn disastrous for hundreds of inhabitans. An explosion on April 6, 1993, at building N-15 had led to a dispersion of uranium and plutonium salts into the atmosphere. (see WISE NC 390, 23 April 1993: Plutonium plant accident releases deadly contamination)
SCC is the largest weapon plutonium production complex in Russia and located only within 15 km from the regional center with a population of 500,000. During the 40 years of its activity, the population had been suffering from SCC technological outs and waste depository influence.
The result of more than 24 accidents is a complex of problems related to radioactive soil contamination, including an increase of cancer and leukemia cases.
To attract local authorities and public attention to the issue of nuclear monitoring and the inherent right of people to have favorable environment conditions, an agitation meeting in the town center was held. On the town markets were banners demanding "Fish without Radionuclides!", students' dispute over the last Minatom project and its implementation consequences in Tomsk, and others.
Source: Press release WISE Tomsk/Tomsk Ecological Students' Inspection, 6 April 1998
Contact: Lev Blinov, Natasha Gazetova, Tomsk Ecological Students' Inspection:
E-mail: epatrol@green.tsu.tomsk.su or WISE Tomsk