The Toxic Valley exercise, which annually organizes the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, is an exercise of military specialists in the field of radiation, chemical, and biological protection (RCHBO) from NATO countries. The exercise is designed for sampling teams and mobile chemical identification laboratories and is the only one of its kind within NATO countries across Europe.
Toxic Valley 2019 will involve more than 150 CBRN specialists from 1o different countries.
On Ex Toxic Valley 2018, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “International Ex Toxic Valley 2018 is one of the opportunities to practise the capabilities of our CBRN troops, while collaborating with specialists from other countries in response to CBRN incidents. And thanks to our unique testing facility in Zemianske Kostoľany, this all can be done with real toxic chemical substances.”
On the risk of a CBRN hazard, Chief of Defence Lt Gen Daniel Zmeko said: “In recent times, it has been clearly demonstrated that the threat of toxic chemical substances is real, not to mention their combat use. Therefore, our specialists train shoulder-to-shoulder with their colleagues from abroad to be ready to respond to similar incidents. Sharing of experience is the basis of success in this dynamically changing era.”
To find out more about Toxic Valley 2019 watch the promo video
Bertin has been chosen by the authorities of Switzerland and by the European Commission – on behalf of Armenia – to provide tailored radiation monitoring systems. These new contracts reassert Bertin’s strong expertise in Environmental Radiation Monitoring Systems (ERMS) and demonstrate its flexibility to meet specific requirements.
The Swiss authorities chose Bertin for the renewal of their MADUK1 and NADAM2 radiation monitoring networks. Bertin Technologies also won a tender for ANRA (Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority), within the framework of a contract funded by the European Union, to provide equipment and services in order to improve radiation monitoring near and around the Metsamor nuclear power plant3 in Armenia.
Bertin’s solutions perform the surveillance of radioactivity in air, soil, and water around nuclear facilities or for nationwide monitoring purposes to help ensure human safety. They include a broad range of sensors, including gamma dose measurements, air monitoring, and spectroscopic analysis for radionuclide identification. Collected data is transmitted through secured and emergency proof channels including radio, 4G or satellite.
A central data management system allows managing, analyzing and visualizing the situation in real time. “For these tenders, requirements were quite challenging. We had to adapt our products to the customer’s needs with the development of new features such as an improved build in solar supply, eventually deployed in all our future projects. Therefore, our well-known expertise and flexibility make us a partner of choice for the major players in the nuclear industry”, says Rainer Dielmann, Bertin GmbH Director.
Backed by the in-depth know-how of Saphymo (acquired in 2015), Bertin has developed and optimized cutting-edge instrumentation equipment for the detection and monitoring of ionizing radiation, which complies with the strictest international requirements.
On Wednesday it was announced that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has been given new powers in the fight against the opioid crisis.
The federal government announced amendments to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to allow certain law enforcement agencies, including the CBSA, to stop precursor chemicals from being brought into Canada and then used to make fentanyl and amphetamines.
Prior to this officers could only act once the illegal substances were actually made, or if there was evidence that the raw chemicals were going to be used to make an illegal drug.
These new regulations are effective immediately meaning officers can start seizing chemicals like benzylfentanyl and norfentanyl.
A middle school in Pike County, Cincinnati, has been closed after officials announced that enriched uranium had been detected within the building.
The school closed on Monday, May 13th, after the district's school board sent a letter to parents informing them of the detection of uranium within the building and neptunium 237 in the air outside the school. "It is the position of the Board that any level of contamination on or near our school is unacceptable," Brandon Wooldridge, president of the district's board, wrote.
The school grounds are within four miles of the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, which is currently in the process of being decommissioned. "Enriched Uranium and Neptunium are currently identified as contaminants of concern by the U.S. Department of Energy on the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant property," the board wrote. "We agree with the Pike County Health Department that the U.S. Department of Energy must take appropriate actions to ensure radiological contaminants are not being released from the site."
The Portsmouth plant enriched uranium from 1954 until 2001, supplying the U.S nuclear weapons program and commercial nuclear reactors.
There is now just over 3 weeks to go until our Asymmetric Stadium Threat Event at the Old Trafford Stadium, home of Manchester United!
This is a unique event designed for individuals tasked with preparing counter-terrorism strategies for HVE. With speakers from around the world that have managed HVE and all elements examined, pre and post incident, Interdicting and disrupting attacks, minimizing casualties and safeguarding evidence.
With both an international audience and delegation of speakers, this is an event not to be missed. Places are still available, head over to the event page and book your place now https://cbrneworld.com/events/cbrne-manchester
We are also holding a FREE pre-conference workshop on Robotics in CBRN on June 5th.
For more information, queries, or to register for the pre-conference workshop contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
