Assessment of environmental impact of reactor facilities in Kazakhstan

The two main reactor facilities in Kazakhstan today are the WWR-K research reactor close to Almaty and the BN-350 fast reactor in Aktau on the Caspian Sea. The WWR-K reactor is operated as a source of neutrons for irradiation of materials, production of radioisotopes, and basic neutron physics. Until 1998, BN-350 was operated as a power reactor to produce electricity and to desalinate water for the region for over 25 years; with international help it is now being decommissioned. This paper describes radioecological surveys that were performed around both reactor facilities, the techniques used, and results obtained. It was found that measured values of radionuclides in the regions surrounding both reactors were no higher than the values measured elsewhere which were caused by radioactive fallout. It was concluded that the reactors have minimal additional impact on the environment.