Scientists report on new product that encapsulates nuclear debris (05/06/01)

CHORNOBYL: THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY

Scientists report on new product that encapsulates nuclear debris

by Andrew Nynka

NEW YORK - Eurotech Ltd., a participant in this year's United Nations conference on health and the environment, has created a material, EKOR, that successfully encapsulates Chornobyl's most critical and continually harmful fuel-containing mass.

On April 26, 1986, during a failed test of Reactor No. 4, the Chornobyl nuclear power plant became the site of the world's worst nuclear disaster. The explosion left more than 70 tons of harmful radioactive debris strewn about the complex. Forty tons of this debris is in the form of dust, posing the problem of "environmental migration." Radioactive dust can travel, like a summer pollen, and affect millions more even decades after the initial accident. The accident's after-effects, including the exposed debris, has continued to plague nearby villages, leaving 3.5 million people, including 1.5 million children, directly affected.

EKOR, which is available as a sealer, coating, foam, and grout, is designed as a highly radiation- and corrosion-resistant material used specifically at Chornobyl to cover piles of radioactive dust.

"Initially applied in March 2000, EKOR has now been in use at Chornobyl for over 13 months and shows no signs of degradation or loss of radiation resistance," said Don Hahnfeldt, president and CEO of Eurotech Ltd. "This exceeds all other products which have, at their longest, lasted only two months," added Lin Johnson, account director for Eurotech Ltd.

"EKOR was created by a team of nuclear scientists from the I.V. Kurchatov Research Center and the EuroAsian Physical Society to specifically address the problems resulting from the nuclear accident of Reactor No. 4 at Chornobyl, Ukraine," Mr. Hahnfeldt explained.

The product's ability to withstand radiation and not degrade is significant, as this degradation is cited as one of the main causes of severe structural faults in the sarcophagus initially created to encapsulate the stricken reactor.

According to Eurotech, "EKOR, as a protective 'blanket,' will not only prevent the dangerous radioactive dust from spreading, but serves to decontaminate the surface area as well." A non-toxic, environmentally inert and non-hazardous waste, EKOR has been put through rigorous scrutiny at seven international laboratories and is in its last testing stages at the U.S. Department of Energy.

Addressing the problem of dispersion of radionuclides through contact with wind, rain or ground water and their spread into the air or ground, "EKOR has provided a valuable solution for Ukraine in containing critical radioactive dust," commented Artur Korneev, Chornobyl Project Ukrainian Deputy Director.

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