Radioactive contamination concerns in Gospić

Following the discovery of an illegal waste landfill, the utility Ličke vode announced it would expand water testing in the Gospić area to include radioactive elements as a precautionary measure. While initial testing of over 180 parameters showed no traces of heavy metals or PFAS compounds, officials noted the exact composition of the waste at the site remained unknown.

Subsequently, the Croatian State Inspectorate launched an inspection after reports indicated a significant increase in radioactive strontium-90 levels in the region. Data from the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Medicine (IMI) showed strontium-90 concentrations in surface soil at a Gospić measuring point rose from 24.5 becquerels per square meter in 2023 to 260 becquerels per square meter.

Experts from the IMI Radiation Protection Institute attributed the presence of this isotope to atmospheric clouds from the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. Officials stated that there is currently no evidence linking the increased measurements to the illegal waste at the former PPK Velebit site, and noted the change does not inherently confirm new contamination or an immediate threat to public health.