Sweden sends Russia radioactive sand for Davis Cup

[Susan Gawarecki <loc@icx.net>]

Sweden sends Russia radioactive sand for Davis Cup 

MOSCOW (July 15, 1999 12:28 p.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) -
A special mix of sand and clay for covering tennis courts that
Russia imported from Sweden for a Davis Cup match was
radioactive and had to be returned. 

The 45-ton mixture was detained by Russian customs officials
who found it to be emitting radiation at seven times the normal
level, said the captain of the Russian team, Shamil Tarpishchev. 

Swedish officials said the increased radiation level was caused
by trace remains of radon, and that it would quickly disappear as
the gas evaporates. But Russia insisted that the mix be shipped
back, adding that destroying it would have cost Moscow $1
million, Tarpishchev said. 

Radon is a natural radioactive gas that is a byproduct of
decaying uranium deposits, which are present in nearly all soil.
Radon is considered to be the second-leading cause of lung
cancer. 

Ordering the mixture from Sweden had been recommended by
the International Tennis Federation. After the shipment was
found to be radioactive, the ITF allowed Russia to use
domestically produced sand for the tournament, Tarpishchev
said. 

Russia plays Slovakia in a quarter-final match this weekend. 
-- 
==================================================
Susan L. Gawarecki, Ph.D., Executive Director
Oak Ridge Reservation Local Oversight Committee, Inc.
136 South Illinois Avenue, Suite 208
Oak Ridge, Tennessee  37830
Phone (423) 483-1333; Fax (423) 482-6572; E-mail loc@icx.net
VISIT OUR UPDATED WEB SITE:  http://www.local-oversight.org
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