Experts Identify Leaked Radioactive Material in Delhi as Cobalt-60

Experts have identified the ‘radioactive material’ as Cobal-60 which caused ‘very powerful’ radiation in a west Delhi industrial area yesterday leaving five persons injured including one seriously, reported PTI.

Scientists from the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Narora Atomic Power Station also inspected Mayapuri industrial area in the morning to see if any other source of identical emission exists in the vicinity, report said.

As five persons fell ill last night after being exposed to radiations, panic was triggered in the area suspecting a radiation leak.

“The experts have identified the material as Cobalt-60. They have identified six sources of Cobalt-60 from the scrap shop,” B B Bhattacharya, member of National Disaster Management Authority and former Director of BARC, was quoted as saying PTI.

Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope of cobalt, which is a hard, lustrous, grey metal. Cobalt-based colours and pigments have been used since ancient times for jewellery and paints, and miners have long used the name kobold ore for some minerals.

Bhattacharjee said that the isotope is used in fabrication work, particularly welding steel and is also used in treating cancer, report said.

The experts first collected and separated the mysterious shining objects from the scrap shop in Mayapuri Industrial area in a sophisticated lid and then sent for further examinations, said report.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Sharad Aggarwal that experts also inspected the area to check if there was any other source of radiation emission in the vicinity, report said.

“The team had identified the source of radiation. They have collected the material and isolated it. They are examining it,” Aggarwal was quoted as saying.

Bhattacharjee said that the radiation was from a ‘very powerful source’ as Deepak Jain, the scrap dealer undergoing treatment in Apollo Hospital, is in a serious condition, said report.