Radiation-contaminated area (Photo: indonesiaexpat.biz) Jakarta (VNA) - The Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) of Indonesiahas issued a statement telling residents to stay away from a piece of land inSerpong, 43 km south of Jakarta, because it has been contaminated withradiation.
Bapeten saidit had discovered an elevated level of radioactive isotope Caesium-137 during aroutine test for radioactivity in the area.
Bapetenspokesman Abdul Qohhar said radiation levels had fallen over the weekendbecause of Bapeten’s decontamination process, which included removing soil andcutting down plants.
DjarotSulistio Wisnubroto, a researcher at the National Nuclear Energy Agency(Batan), said the impact should not be harmful to residents and the levels havenow fallen to 20-30 microSv per hour.
Externalexposure to large amounts of Caesium-137 can cause burns, radiation sicknessand even death in some cases. It also increases the risk of cancer.
Indonesiadoes not have an active nuclear power industry, but a reactor used for researchis about 3 km away from the site of the contamination./.
Bapeten saidit had discovered an elevated level of radioactive isotope Caesium-137 during aroutine test for radioactivity in the area.
Bapetenspokesman Abdul Qohhar said radiation levels had fallen over the weekendbecause of Bapeten’s decontamination process, which included removing soil andcutting down plants.
DjarotSulistio Wisnubroto, a researcher at the National Nuclear Energy Agency(Batan), said the impact should not be harmful to residents and the levels havenow fallen to 20-30 microSv per hour.
Externalexposure to large amounts of Caesium-137 can cause burns, radiation sicknessand even death in some cases. It also increases the risk of cancer.
Indonesiadoes not have an active nuclear power industry, but a reactor used for researchis about 3 km away from the site of the contamination./.
VNA
