An Israeli study conducted in the area surrounding Dimona nuclear reactor in the Negev has revealed the possibility of radioactive waste being leaked from the reactor and some waste burial sites thereby creating a potentially catastrophic environmental nightmare.
According to the study floods and plants that penetrate the soil may help smuggle these toxic substances from burial sites to the environment.
Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported on Tuesday that the closed area around Dimona is used as a dumping ground for Israel’s nuclear waste. The waste is not buried inside buildings or well-prepared bunkers; rather it is stored inside shallow containers that might wear out crack and rust which means that they may explode at any moment and the waste can be easily leaked.
The Hebrew newspaper said based on the study that the unknown amount of radioactive waste brought from Dimona Soreq nuclear research center and other industrial facilities is only covered with a two-meter layer of soil.
Dimona nuclear reactor was established with the help of France in the late 1950s. Two other French reactors were built during the same period and closed in 1980.
