UN atomic energy official involved in radiation contamination incident in Belgium

The United Nations atomic energy agency reported today that one of its safeguards inspectors has been involved in a contamination incident at a nuclear waste processing facility in Dessel, Belgium.

The incident happened yesterday at the Belgoprocess facility, the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said, adding that the agency’s staff member was in the company of a

European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) inspector and a Belgoprocess official carrying out routine inspection when the exposure occurred.

The three individuals evacuated the area and have undergone external decontamination procedures and medical checks. They are now being assessed to determine the level of their radiation exposure.

Belgian authorities have reported that the incident area has been sealed off and no radioactivity has been released to the environment. Decontamination of the facility is expected to begin soon.

The Incident and Emergency Centre of IAEA is in contact with Belgian officials to gather information on the exposure to radiation, the nuclear material involved and other details.