Scrap dealers must tell authorities if radioactive stuff found: Prithviraj Chavan

The radioactive material found in a scrap market in west Delhi today prompted the government to think about a mechanism to ensure that detection of such substances is brought to notice of authorities.

"We should now plan some mechanism to ensure that scrap dealers report to authorities about detection of radioactive
material found among scrap," science and technology minister
Prithviraj Chavan told PTI.

Panic was triggered in Mayapuri last night after five persons fell ill on coming in contact with a "mysterious shining object" in a scrap shop.

Efforts to cut a lead container carrying a radioactive substance led to radiation, Chavan said. 

"The scrap dealer and his workers tried to break open a lead container to sell it off as scrap. This led to radiation," he said. Radioactive material is normally packed in lead containers as it resists radiation.

Experts have identified the material which led to a "very powerful" radiation as Cobalt-60, the exposure to which left five persons injured, including one seriously. 

Scientists from the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Narora Atomic Power Station scanned Mayapuri Industrial area this morning to examine whether there was any other source of a similar emission in the vicinity.