Suspend use of any other radioactive source,atomic energy board tells DU

“We have (also) directed the university to suspend all activities that involve the use of any radioactive source till further notice,” AERB Secretary Dr Om Pal Singh told Newsline.

Under the Atomic Energy Act,the Delhi University was required to inform AERB before disposing of the gamma irradiator,containing the radioactive Cobalt-60,as scrap last month. Singh said the university’s action violated radiation protection rules of the Act.

“The radioactive source,if it contains harmful radiation,can only be disposed of to an institution which is capable of handling such radiation — like BARC,” he said.

If negligence on part of university officials is established,the university runs the risk of losing its licence to possess and operate equipment containing radioactive materials.

Singh said radioactive substance present in the equipment had a high-intensity source,and even a very small amount of this Cobalt-60 emitted radiation dangerous enough to cause fatal damage to a person.

Singh said AERB will now give radiation meters to scrap dealers to detect radioactive material in scrap. He said the meters are “simple to operate and can detect any radioactive material in the area”.

Singh said there is no need to frame new rules for handling of radioactive substance: “The Atomic Energy Act and Radiation Protection Rules are enough.”

But Ravi Aggarwal from the NGO Toxics Link said: “AERB does a good job of certifying radioactive material but we have no mechanism for tracking at the ground level. This incident shows things can go wrong — we need to create more public knowledge and have an agency to monitor radioactive waste or equipment.”

“In countries like the US and Germany,the public has the right to access plans related to radioactive material.”