RADIATION DETECTION SYSTEM STARTED OPERATING AT THE BULGARIAN BORDERS

10 cases of illegal import of radioactive materials in Bulgaria have been prevented by the Bulgarian Police for the past three years. The police officers stopped the importation of radioactive wood from Chernobyl and contaminated with radionuclides non-ferrous metals for scrap. This was made possible as a result of a new system for radioactive protection that has been installed and is already working at the Bulgarian borders including ports, airports and checkpoints. The scanners were donated by the Department of Energy of the United States.

The scanners check all passengers, luggage, cargo and vehicles that enter and exit the airport. If the scanner turns red, border policeman will check further you further to find out where the radioisotope radiation comes from.

Such monitors for detection of radiation are located at all entrances and exits of the airport, and in 20 border checkpoints across the country.

The radiation scanners at the various border crossings work in a joint system, connected with the Civil Protection, the Agency for Nuclear Regulation and the state-owned enterprise “Radioactive Wastes”, which are ready to immediately respond in the event of a threat.