RADIOACTIVE DANGER IN THE NORTH

An analysis is made of the problems and potential danger presented by the radioactive pollution in the North, and the findings are confronte d with the statements and plans of action given in official Norwegian documents. It is pointed out that the white paper of the Norwegian Gov ernment to the Storting (St.meld. nr. 34) defines radioactive pollutio n as that due to man-made, artificial isotopes. It completely ignores the presence of natural radioactivity, despite the fact that the radio active isotopes from the natural elements potassium, uranium etc. acco unt for more than 99% of the activity in the Barents and the Kara Sea. It is further pointed out that, up to now, there is no conclusive evi dence for any measureable contribution to the activity in these waters from the dumping sites and storages in the sea and on land in Russia. It is concluded that the only potential danger to the Norwegian envir onment, from nuclear activities in Northwest Russia, is due to the rea ctors at the Kola peninsula.