ROSTOV-ON-DON, October 21. /TASS/. The level of background radiation in Russia’s Rostov Region equals 0.10-0.12 mcSv/h, which is in line with the average values of long-term observations, Russia’s Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said in a statement on Thursday.
The Rosenergoatom concern said earlier on Thursday that specialists had detected a welding defect on a pipe at Unit 2 of the Rostov nuclear power plant (NPP). To remove it the unit was taken offline. The system, in which the defect was found, is part of the second ‘clear’ circuit with clear, non-radioactive water circulating, the concern noted, adding that no violation of the parameters and terms of safe exploitation were registered.
"According to the control results, the level of the natural gamma background in administrative territories of the region, including the Rostov NPP, stands at 0.10-0.12 mcSv/h, which is in line with the average values of long-term observations specific to the Rostov Region," the statement said.
The local authorities and enterprises constantly monitor the background radiation on the territory of the Rostov Region, including the territories of the Rostov NPP’s observation zone, the regulator added.
Rosenergoatom said earlier that Unit 2 of the Rostov NPP had been taken offline for extensive repairs for 45 days from August 2 to September 19. The reactor system of the unit, as well as all safety systems, underwent maintenance, overhaul, and repairs, the concern said. Moreover, the low-pressure cylinder of the turbine generating unit, the turbine generator and the main equipment of the turbine house were repaired.
The Rostov nuclear power plant is a subsidiary of the Rosenergoatom concern (part of Rosatom). It was known as the Volgodonsk NPP in 2001-2010. The NPP is located on the banks of the Tsimlyansk reservoir, 13.5 kilometers to the northeast of Volgodonsk. Rostov-on-Don and Volgograd are situated 205 and 175 kilometers away from the NPP, respectively.