The source of this radioactive cesium is most likely from the area around Chornobyl where forest fires have stirred up old fallout which has then been transported by the wind over large geographical areas.
The filters from the other stations in Norway will be analyzed in the coming days, and it is expected that several of them will also find measurable values of Cs-137. DSA regularly detects low levels of radioactive cesium at all air filter stations in Norway, as a result of stirred-up dust from old fallout from the Chernobyl accident. On this occasion, the source is most likely due to forest fires in the area around Chornobyl, which have now been extinguished.
During such forest fires, radioactive substances can be stirred up and transported over long distances by the wind. Norway has previously seen very small amounts of radioactive cesium at our air filter stations after such fires.
– DSA has a close cooperation and a very good exchange of information with a number of countries, including in Europe. Similar findings to ours have been made in several European countries. They have reached the same conclusion as us in this case. The levels we have measured are not dangerous, but we are pleased that our measuring instruments can detect even the smallest variations. This allows us to monitor closely and react if something should happen, says Emergency Director at DSA, Kjetil Longva.