Greek Atomic Energy Commission: no reason to panic

A statement from the Hellenic Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE) looks encouraging regarding a possible radiation leak from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine and the risk to Greece.

The EEAE statement indicates that the Greek authorities have recently developed a new, completely revised national contingency plan in the event of a serious accident at a nuclear facility abroad.

According to the statement, Chernobyl is quite far from Greece, so taking iodine-containing pills or evacuating the population is absolutely pointless.

Statements from the Atomic Energy Authority of Ukraine and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba warned of a power outage in Chernobyl by the occupying Russian forces, stressing that the diesel generators cooling the system would run for 48 hours. FM emphasized that after this period the cooling systems would stop and radiation leaks would be inevitable.

On the morning of March 9, the IAEA reportedthat Ukraine turned to the organization for help with ensuring the rotation of personnel at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, since the same shift of 210 people has been working there since the beginning of the war, contact with which has been preserved only via e-mail. The IAEA no longer receives data from the Chernobyl safety monitoring system.

#Ukraine has informed IAEA of power loss at #Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, @rafaelmgrossi says development violates key safety pillar on ensuring uninterrupted power supply; in this case IAEA sees no critical impact on safety.

— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency (@iaeaorg)

#Ukraine has informed IAEA of power loss at #Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, @rafaelmgrossi says development violates key safety pillar on ensuring uninterrupted power supply; in this case IAEA sees no critical impact on safety.

— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency (@iaeaorg) March 9, 2022

“> March 9, 2022

Commenting on what is happening at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday that the situation is under the control of the Russian military and representatives of Ukraine.

“Currently, control over the situation at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is carried out jointly by Russian military personnel, Ukrainian specialists, civilian personnel of the plant, and the national guard of this country,” Zakharova said.

She also noted that “the allegations of an alleged 20-fold increase in the level of radiation at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant do not correspond to reality.” “As early as March 2, such irresponsible rumors were refuted by the Director General of the IAEA,” Zakharova stressed.

Both EEAE and pharmacists in Greece warn on the dangers of using iodine-containing tablets as a “preventive measure”as frightened locals rushed to pharmacies for the drug.

Please note that iodine tablets are only available in the country as supplements. They are sold without a prescription and contain the chemical compound potassium iodide.

It has been shown that iodine tablets are useful in preventing radioactive iodine 131 thyroid cancer, however, they can have serious side effects and should always be taken on the advice of a physician.

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