Spain is finally taking action to track down and record its radioactive contamination sites after years of delays and anticipation. This new initiative is spurred by a ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union, signaling a commitment to greater transparency concerning environmental concerns.
Need for Official Documentation
Although Spain has identified at least six locations impacted by nuclear accidents and industrial activities, these sites have not been formally documented. The absence of an official inventory has hampered proper oversight and cleanup efforts. Historical secrecy, rooted in the Franco dictatorship and continuing into modern democracy, now faces scrutiny as new legislation seeks to shed light on areas affected by accidental radioactive exposure.
In a recent move, the Spanish government enacted a royal decree aimed at regulating nuclear and radioactive facilities. A significant aspect of this decree is the requirement for the Ministry for Ecological Transition to assemble and keep an up-to-date inventory of land affected by radiation. This document will outline the reasons for contamination, detail the extent of damage, and specify the clean-up actions taken or planned, as well as any restrictions on land use.
Notable Incidents and Cleanup Efforts
One notable incident necessitating such action is the Palomares disaster, a nuclear mishap that occurred during the Cold War. In January 1966, a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber collided mid-air with a KC-135 tanker, leading to the accidental release of four thermonuclear bombs near the village of Palomares in Almería. While two of the bombs were recovered without incident, the other two scattered plutonium across the surrounding area, leaving behind a staggering 50,000 cubic meters of contaminated land still awaiting cleanup, stalled by disagreements between the U.S. and Spain.
Initial cleanup efforts took place post-accident, yet research has repeatedly shown that extensive contamination lingered. Studies indicated that much of the area retained harmful plutonium, requiring further intervention. While the Spanish government has historically treated cleanup plans as classified, the new inventory will include anticipated decontamination strategies and information on at least five additional sites recognized as radioactive by the Nuclear Safety Council.
European Pressure and Future Steps
This recognition follows a 2018 investigation that uncovered eight previously unknown contaminated areas along the Jarama Royal Irrigation Canal. These zones originated from a 1970 event when highly radioactive liquid was incorrectly discharged from an experimental reactor, hidden from public scrutiny until now. Thanks to the new decree, local and regional authorities will be informed about contaminated properties within their jurisdictions in the future.
The push for member states to establish safety protocols against ionizing radiation aligns with European Directive 2013/59/Euratom, which emerged after the Fukushima disaster. Spain was tasked with implementing this directive by 2018, which included creating the inventory and a new royal decree addressing radiologically affected soil.
Facing increased pressure from the European Commission, Spain recently endured a ruling against it, highlighting that inaction could lead to legal costs and potentially financial penalties if the situation doesn’t improve. The newly implemented regulations emphasize the importance of cataloging radiologically contaminated sites, building upon an earlier framework established in 2008 that previously went unaddressed.
Progress was made when a long-standing law from 1965 regulating nuclear energy was amended to clarify definitions related to radiologically contaminated soil. This crucial update, finalized in mid-2022, sets the stage for implementing the long-awaited royal decree concerning contaminated land.
As Spain embarks on this journey toward increased transparency and accountability, the development of an inventory signifies hope for restoring environmental safety and integrity. With these proactive steps, the nation is making commendable efforts toward informed decision-making and ensuring a cleaner, safer future for all its inhabitants.
Source: Elpais
