In the field of environmental remediation, a recent development has garnered attention: the reported reduction of radiation levels in the Chernobyl exclusion zone by nearly half, attributed to a new technology developed by the Swiss company Exlterra. Their Nucleus Separation Passive System (NSPS) is claimed to have achieved a 46% decrease in airborne radiation and a 37% reduction in soil radioactivity within a one-hectare test area over a 12-month period .

The NSPS operates through a network of approximately 5,000 polyethylene tubes installed underground at varying depths. These tubes are designed to harness natural forces, such as gravity, to accelerate the decay of radioactive particles without the use of chemicals or soil excavation .​

According to Exlterra, the technology utilizes high-velocity particles, known as positrons, to target and break down radioactive isotopes like cesium-137, strontium-90, and americium-241. This process is conducted beneath the soil surface, purportedly without releasing additional radioactivity into the environment .​

The Ukrainian State Specialized Enterprise Ecocentre (SSE Ecocentre), responsible for radiation monitoring in the exclusion zone, has collaborated with Exlterra on this project. Sergiy Kireiev, General Director of SSE Ecocentre, remarked on the significance of the results, stating,

“These results are remarkable. It is the first time in 35 years that such technology has succeeded in reducing the level of radioactivity in the soil and air so significantly” .​

https://www.exlterra.com/post/accelerating-chernobyl-s-decontamination-with-exlterra-s-nsps-technology

Exlterra projects that the test site could reach natural background radiation levels within five years, a substantial reduction from the estimated 24,000 years required for natural decay without intervention .​

While these findings are promising, it’s important to approach them with cautious optimism. The technology’s efficacy has been demonstrated on a limited scale, and further research and studies are necessary to validate these results and assess the feasibility of scaling up the approach for broader application.​

In summary, Exlterra’s NSPS presents an innovative approach to addressing radioactive contamination, with initial results indicating significant reductions in radiation levels within the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Continued investigation and validation will determine the potential of this technology to contribute meaningfully to environmental remediation efforts.​