A spike in radioactivity detected in the air in western and central Europe may have emerged from Russia, experts claim.

Elevated levels of the isotope Ruthenium-106 were reported in Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and France from September 29 onward.

Scientists are still unsure of the exact cause of the increase, first reported last week, but new calculations suggest the original source is in the southern Ural mountains.

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German officials announced a spike in radioactivity last week, that was detected in the air in western and central Europe. Elevated levels of the isotope Ruthenium-106 were reported, which experts now believe first emerged from the southern Ural mountains in Russia

RUTHENIUM 106 Ruthenium is part of the platinum group of metals. It is a hard, silvery-white metal with a shiny surface. Its melting point is about 2,300 to 2,450°C (4,200 to 4,400°F) Its discovery is credited to Polish chemist Jedrzej Sniadecki, who announced the announced the discovery of the element in 1808. Chemists were unable to confirm Sniadecki's work and, as a result, the element was rediscovered twice more in later years. The primary uses of ruthenium are in alloys and as catalysts for industrial processes. Ruthenium-106 is an isotope, or variant with a different number of neutrons in its nucleus, used for radiation therapy to treat eye tumours. It is sometimes as a source of energy, known as radioisotope thermoelectric generators, used to power satellites. Advertisement

Experts from Germany's Federal Office for Radiation Protection (FORP) raised the alarm on Thursday, October 5, after five Weather Service stations detected traces of the particle.

This followed air monitoring stations across the continent recording an increase in the isotope.

Initial testes suggested a release in eastern Europe, at a distance of more than 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from Germany.

The exact location of the Ruthenium-106 source is still unknown, but new calculations indicate the particles may have originated in southern Russia.

In an updated statement, a FORP spokesman said: 'The origin of the measured ruthenium-106 is still unknown.

'New analyses of the source of the radioactive material indicate a release in the southern Ural, but other regions in southern Russia can not be excluded.

The levels detected are low, 17,000 times lower than the limit set for this particle, and do not currently pose a threat to human health.

Officials added that the source could not be an accident at a nuclear power plant.

In a their initial statement, a FORP spokesman said: 'Since only ruthenium-106 has been detected, an accident in a nuclear power plant can be excluded as a cause.

'With this small amount of radioactivity there is no health hazard to the population.'

Ruthenium is part of the platinum group of metals.

Ruthenium-106 is an isotope, or variant with a different number of neutrons in its nucleus, used for radiation therapy to treat eye tumours.

It is sometimes as a source of energy, known as radioisotope thermoelectric generators, used to power satellites.

Initial analysis on the source of the radioactive substance ruthenium-106 suggested it was release in eastern Europe, at a distance of more than 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from Germany, but new calculations suggest Russia as the likely origin

RADIOACTIVE LEAK IN JANUARY This is not the first time that radioactive material has been detected in the air across Europe this year. Air quality stations across the continent detected traces of radioactive Iodine-131 in January. Iodine-131 can cause harm because it has a very short half life of just eight days, making it very radioactive. The pattern of movement of the particles suggested they may also have originated in Eastern Europe. Advertisement

Ruthenium is a hard, silvery-white metal with a shiny surface.

Its melting point is about 2,300 to 2,450°C (4,200 to 4,400°F)

Its discovery is credited to Polish chemist Jedrzej Sniadecki, who announced the announced the discovery of the element in 1808.

Chemists were unable to confirm Sniadecki's work and, as a result, the element was rediscovered twice more in later years.

The primary uses of ruthenium are in alloys and as catalysts for industrial processes.

This is not the first time that radioactive material has been detected in the air across Europe this year.

Air quality stations across the continent detected traces of radioactive Iodine-131 in January.

Iodine-131 can cause harm because it has a very short half life of just eight days, making it very radioactive.

The pattern of movement of the particles suggested they may also have originated in eastern Europe.