release of radionuclides into the atmosphere, which made up 10% of the allowed annual emissions of the plant. 27 August 1997 – In building RT-1 in one of the rooms was found to be contaminated floor area of 1 to 2 m2, the dose rate of gamma radiation from the spot was between 40 and 200 mR / s. 6 October 1997 – Recorded increasing radioactivity in the assembly building, the RT-1. Measurement of the exposure dose indicated up to 300 mR / s. 23 September 1998 – While increasing power output of reactor P-2 ("Lyudmila") after engaging automatic protection allowable power level was exceeded by 10%. As a result, the three channels of the fuel rod seal failed, resulting in the contamination of equipment and pipelines of the first circuit. Notes More recent major accidents In 2003, the plant's operating licence was revoked temporarily due to liquid radioactive waste handling procedures resulting in waste being disposed into open water. In June 2007, an accident involving a radioactive pulp occurred over a two-day period. In October 2007, a valve failure during transport of a radioactive liquid resulted in spilling of a radioactive material. In 2008, a repair worker was injured during a "pneumatic" incident, involving a quantity of alpha emitter release. The worker's hand was injured and the wound contaminated. The worker's finger was amputated in an attempt to minimize spread of alpha-particle emitters throughout his body and subsequent radiological consequences. In September 2017, possible association with the airborne radioactivity increase in Europe in autumn 2017. Russia confirms 'extremely high' readings of radioactive pollution in Argayash, a village in the Chelyabinsk region of the southern Urals. Argayash is located 10 miles south of the Mayak plant. In January 2018, the French Institute of Radioprotection and Nuclear Security (IRSN) reported that Mayak could be the cause of the contamination. The radioactivity was due to Ru-106 indicating release from a late stage in the reprocessing (i.e. after the Ru-106 had been separated from other isotopes). See also City 40 List of civilian nuclear accidents List of military nuclear accidents Nuclear and radiation accidents and incidents Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Oblast Radioactive contamination Radioactive waste Reprocessed uranium Techa River, the radioactive river References External links Nuclear reprocessing sites Nuclear technology companies of Russia Nuclear waste companies Buildings and structures in Chelyabinsk Oblast Ural Mountains Nuclear weapons programme of Russia Federal State Unitary Enterprises of Russia