This is an old revision of this page, as edited by ZéroBot (talk | contribs) at 08:15, 17 April 2012 (r2.7.1) (Robot: Adding uk:Бар’єр). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 08:15, 17 April 2012 by ZéroBot (talk | contribs) (r2.7.1) (Robot: Adding uk:Бар’єр)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) | This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (February 2010) |
The now-defunct Prydniprovsky Chemical Plant (Template:Lang-uk; Prydniprovsky khimichnyi zavod, PHZ) in the city of Dniprodzerzhynsk, Ukraine, enriched uranium ore for the Soviet nuclear program from 1948 through 1991, preparing Yellowcake.
Its processing wastes are now stored in nine open-air dumping grounds containing about 36 million tones of sand-like low-radioactive residue, occupying an area of 2,5 million square meters. The sites, improperly constructed from the very beginning, have been abandoned by the industry long ago and remain in very poor condition. The top concern is the dumps’ closeness to both the large Dnieper River and city residential areas. According to government experts, the dams separating the grounds from soil water are already leaking, causing the pollution of Dnieper basin. It is believed that further deterioration of the dams, irrespective of any outer accidents, may cause a devastating radioactive mudslide. The Ukrainian government is now tightening control over the grounds and seeking international aid in projects aimed at securing and the gradual re-processing of the PHZ wastes. Recently, the International Atomic Energy Agency has evaluated the condition of the sites and is considering dispatching a major observation and aid mission to Dniprodzerzhynsk.
The isolated dump grounds (about nine altogether, at a depth of 3 m) of the former plant are now located in different parts of the city and operated by the purposely-created "Barrier" State Enterprise - with an obscure-meaning new name that has yet to be widely known. That is why the sites, the company, and the whole problem is still commonly referred to as the "Prydniprovsky Chemical Plant (PHZ) wastes".
See also
References
- Uranium wastes threaten the east of Ukraine, 2000, July 14, 2006; France to help removing industrial dump in Dniprodzerhynsk, Ukrayina Promyshlennaya, February 26, 2008; IAEA technical experts start working in Dniprodzerzhynsk March 4, 2008; IAEA expert group finished inspecting the PHZ, UGMK, March 11, 2008
 | This Ukrainian corporation or company article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |
 | This waste-related article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |