Firm admits it breached cobalt rules (Bangkok Post)

["Bjorn Cedervall" <bcradsafers@hotmail.com>]

The text below is from Bangkok Post, 3 March.

Bjorn Cedervall   bcradsafers@hotmail.com
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Condition of scrap dealers deteriorates

Anchalee Kongrut

Kamol Sukosol Electric Co admitted yesterday it had illegally transferred 
cobalt 60 but said it would cover the initial medical costs of two scrap 
collectors whose condition is deteriorating.

Kamala Sukosol, chairman of the company, said the radioactive material had 
been moved from its Vibhavadi Rangsit road warehouse to Onnuj without 
notifying authorities.

Unauthorised transfer of such materials carries a 10,000-baht fine and/or a 
one-year jail term under the 1961 Atomic Energy Act.

Mrs Kamala said she felt "utmost regret" that a score of people had been 
exposed to radiation when scrapyard workers cut open the cobalt cylinders.

But she blamed "unaware" people who had trespassed, stolen and then damaged 
the cylinders in which the cobalt was encased in lead and steel and which 
bore radiation warning signs.

The company was innocent, she said, because the cylinders were secured and 
stored in its "well fenced" 20-rai lot. However, the company would accept 
responsibility on humanitarian grounds.

At the initial stage, the company would give 10,000 baht to each family of 
the 10 patients admitted at Ratchawithi and Samut Prakan hospitals for daily 
expenses.

People living near the Samrong district scrapyard would have their medical 
costs covered if they could prove they were suffering from radiation, said 
Suwat Apaipakdi, the company's legal adviser.

But those the company has accused of theft would be given initial 
assistance, said the company, which would not be responsible for long-term 
conditions such as cancer or sterility.

Kampol Vuthisarnsoonthorn, whose brother owns the scrapyard in Soi Wat 
Mahawong, said his family had been deeply wounded.

"If the courts find us guilty of buying stolen goods, society will have 
witnessed an injustice," he said. "We are just a scrap shop. We don't buy 
valuable goods."The two men facing theft charges were transferred to 
Ratchawithi hospital on the orders of the Public Health Ministry after their 
condition deteriorated.

Vicharn Kerdchai, director of Samut Prakan hospital, said Jitsen 
Chantarasakha and Sonthaya Sapathum were being moved because Ratchawithi has 
equipment to treat radiation burns.

Mr Jitsen's hands sustained severe burns from direct contact with cobalt, 
and doctors are preparing for skin grafts. His white blood cell count had 
continued to drop and was now 1,000 per cu mm of blood. A healthy person's 
count should not be below 4,000.

Those of Visanu Sa-nguanpong had fallen to 2,200, Boonthueng Sila to 2,500 
and Mr Sonthaya to 1,300. They were under close observation because their 
wounds were being infected and tissue was dying. Mr Vicharn said doctors 
were also closely monitoring Premjai Nakpong, whose count had fallen to 
3,000. Ms Premjai lives near the scrapyard.

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