Germany’s Office for Radiation revealed areas of Central and Western Europe had experienced an increase in radiation after looking at data from six measuring stations in the continent.
The countries mainly affected are Austria, France and Germany.
These radioactive particles are ruthenium-106, which is an isotope used in cancer radiation treatment for tumours in the eye.
They are also used in radioisotope thermoelectric generators to provide power to satellites.
The Office for Radiation Protection said: “New analyses of the source of the radioactive material are likely to indicate a release in the southern Ural, but other regions in Southern Russia cannot be excluded.
“Since only ruthenium-106 has been detected, an accident in a nuclear power plant can be excluded as a cause.
“The origin of the measured ruthenium-106 is still unknown. By declaring the spread of radioactive substances in the atmosphere can be limited the areas in which the release could be.”
But experts have said the particles don’t pose a threat to people’s health – although they are still investigating the source of the spike.
Similar increases in radiation have been detected in Europe before.
In February, traces were recorded over France, Spain, Germany, Norway, Finland, Poland and the Czech Republic.
Dailystar
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