Cobalt-60 contamination worry for India's scrap dealers

摘要

One person has died and a further seven have been severely affected by exposure to radioactive cobalt-60 contained in obsolete medical equipment at the Delhi scrap hub of Mayapuri. Mayapuri is the scrap metal capital of India, receiving containerised supplies from around the world. Following the detection of 11 sources of cobalt-60 from Mayapuri using 'tele-detectors', the Indian government has decided to install radiation monitor portals at all of the country's ports and entry points amid reports that the contamination could have emanated from a consignment of imported scrap.