[ RadSafe ] Five injured from Co-60 source in India

[Ed Hiserodt]

I suspect we should get ready for the same sort of panic caused by the 1987
theft and exposure to 1250 Ci of Cesium 137 in Goiania, Brazil.  The entire
New Delhi population may soon become "untouchables" if history repeats
itself. 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
[mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Hansen, Richard
Sent: Monday, April 12, 2010 5:38 PM
To: radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Five injured from Co-60 source in India

 

Anyone have any more information on this incident than the news article

quoted below?

In India, a scrap dealer and 4 employees injured by radiation after

cutting into lead container housing Co-60.

 

DailyIndia.com

Efforts to cut a lead container led to radiation: Chavan

>From ANI

New Delhi, Apr 9: 

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology

Prithviraj Chavan said efforts to cut a lead container carrying a

radioactive

substance led to radiation in a west Delhi industrial area.

 

Interacting with media here, Chavan said experts have identified the

material as Cobalt-60. 

 

Due to the radiation one person was seriously injured, while five others

were less injured. 

 

"The Government is planning to devise some mechanism to ensure that

scrap dealers report to the authorities detection of radioactive

material among scrap," Chavan said. 

 

A team of scientists from Mumbai's Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC)

and the Narora Atomic Power Station in New Delhi, scanned the Mayapuri

Industrial area to examine whether there is any other source of a

similar emission in the vicinity. 

 

The team, collected and isolated the mysterious shining object from the

scrap shop in a sophisticated lid and have sent it for further

scientific investigation. 

 

The incident came to light when a scrap dealer, Deepak Jain, suffered

serious burn injuries. 

 

The Apollo Hospital, where Jain is undergoing treatment informed the

Government about radiation in that area. 

 

According to hospital sources, Jain fell unconscious and his hands had

turned black after coming into contact with the object.

 

The material was reportedly bought as part of medical waste from a city

hospital. 

 

Four workers employed by Jain also suffered injuries in the incident. 

 

Copyright Asian News International/DailyIndia.com

http://www.dailyindia.com/show/369158.php

 

 

Best regards,

Rick Hansen

Senior Scientist

Counter Terrorism Operations Support Program

National Security Technologies, LLC, for the U.S. Dept of Energy

hansenrg at nv.doe.gov

www.ctosnnsa.org

 

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