OSCE Mission to Moldova continues removal of ionized radiation sources from Transdniestria

July 24 the OSCE Mission to Moldova completed the removal of more than 700 ionized radiation sources from a hospital and factories in Transdniestria.

“Once again, good co-operation between the authorities on both sides of the Dniester/Nistru has proved to be effective to reduce the potential risks for the local population,” said Ambassador Jennifer Brush, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova.

In Tiraspol, the ionized radiation sources were removed from the Republican Clinical Hospital and the clothing factory Tirotex ; in Bender, they were removed from the city Sewerage Department, the Bender Cereal Factory, Machinery Factory, Telecommunication devices factory and a furniture factory. Prior to being disposed of in accordance with international regulations, the radiation sources will be stored in safe facilities.

The OSCE Mission to Moldova financed the removal and worked with the authorities in Chisinau and Tiraspol to get an agreement on the removal and disposal of these hazardous materials.

This project is part of the ongoing work by the OSCE Mission to Moldova to build confidence between people and communities on both banks of the Dniestr/Nistru River. In 2012, the OSCE Mission to Moldova supported the removal of radioactive industrial waste from an enterprise based in Rybnitsa on the left bank of Dniestr/Nistru to a safe storage facility outside Chisinau. In April this year, more than 250 sources were removed from Tiraspol library and from an electricity generation station.

Adapted from interlic