Rome, Plutonium-contaminated worker at ENEA Research Centre

A probable instance of plutonium contamination has been identified at the ENEA Research Centre in Casaccia, a suburb of Rome, in the laboratory currently managed by SOGIN, the public corporation tasked with the dismantling of nuclear installations in Italy. In an official statement released by SOGIN, it was revealed that, on 21 November, an incident of ‘internal contamination’ had occurred among the workforce while managing radioactive waste within the plant. This incident has the potential to exceed the regulatory annual dose limits. The monitoring results, however, are within acceptable limits, providing reassurance on this matter. The National Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ISIN), the public body responsible for regulating the industry, issued a statement noting that it conducted a preliminary inspection at the plant shortly after the contamination event and recorded statements from those involved to gain insight into the incident’s progression. ISIN is monitoring the situation and, at this time, does not anticipate any significant consequences. In all cases, it is necessary to establish the causes of the condition being cared for and to verify how contamination could have occurred in a worker who was expected to perform the task safely.