All Cobalt-60 Sources Recovered from Mayapuri
A team of the National Radiation Emergency Response (NRER) has recovered all the radioactive Cobalt-60 source from a Gamma cell which was scattered in a scrap yard at Mayapuri in Delhi, reported PTI.
“The operation of highly radioactive cobalt sources were completed last night and all material has been handed over to Narora Atomic Power station,” BARC sources were quoted as saying on Wednesday.
Chemistry department of the Delhi University has auctioned the Gamma cell to a scrap dealer leading to radiation leak in Mayapuri.
Eight people were exposed to high radiation, one whom has died, two others are in a serious condition and rest are undergoing treatment.
A total of 16 Cobal pencils were recovered, of which four were intact and others scattered in pieces because they were dismantled in the scrap yard, report said, adding that some were recovered even outside Delhi.
“Each of the pencils had 7 pieces inside. We have recovered all the 112 pieces and sent them in sealed flasks to Narora,” report quoted the sources as saying.
“Many of these pieces were hidden in the scrap among nuts and bolts and we had a tough time tracing the sources,” they were quoted as saying.
It may be mentioned that the source search, identification and recovery operation of the Mayapuri scrap to make it free from ‘orphan sources’ (unaccounted sources to atomic Energy Regulatory Board) started on April 7.
The experts of the Emergency response teams of BARC, Nuclear Power Corporation and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board carried out the operation.
Support was provided by National Disaster Response force of National Disaster Management authority and Mayapuri police teams, report said.
