Bangkok (VNA) – Thai officials announced that they had found a cylinder of Caesium-137 that went missing from a power plant in Sri Maha Pho district at a steel foundry in Prachinburi province, 150km east of Bangkok, reported The Nation newspaper.
Ronnarong Nakornjinda, Governor of Prachinburi province, said that during the inspection of steel factories in the province on March 19, officials detected readings of radioactivity at the province’s largest steel foundry, in Kabin Buri district. The readings came from scrap metal that had been compressed into cubes ready to be smelted.
Officials ordered the foundry to halt operations and all employees were asked to leave the facility.
A perimeter has been set up to bar access to outsiders. An initial investigation of smelted material at the foundry found traces of Caesium-137, he said.
According to Ronnarong, Caesium-137 has a half-life of about 30 years and remains in the environment for 300 years. He warned that touching the radioactive material can harm the skin, liver and bone marrow.
Last week, the provincial administration set up a command centre to search for the cylinder and handle any fallout from the incident.
The province also announced a 50,000-baht (1,500 USD) reward for those who provide information leading to its recovery./.
