BANGKOK – Thai authorities detected radioactive substances called Caesium-137 at a smelter in Kabin Buri district in Prachin Buri province.
However, authorities have not been able to confirm that the radioactive substances detected at the smelting plant came from a capsule that was reported missing from a power plant on March 10.
The capsule believed has been melted and smelted into ‘red dust’ and placed in bags at the smelter plant where official detected the radioactive substances.
The Public Health Ministry said there is no radioactive contamination in the area.
Prachin Buri governor, Ronnarong Nakornjinda said the search teams detected Caesium-137 in big bags at a smelting factor in Kabin Buri on Sunday morning.
“The authorities confirmed that the Caesium-137 cannot be created on its own… It has to be created by humans.
“At present, we still cannot confirm the radioactive substances detected (at smelter a plant) is from the missing capsule,” he said at a press conference here today.
He added that authorities cordoned off the area and thorough checks were conducted at the factory and nearby areas.
The missing capsule, weighing 25 kilogramme, measuring 13 cm in diameter and 10 cm long, contained radioactive substances- Caesium-137. It is reported missing on March 10 and it has yet to be found.
At a press conference, Office of Atoms for Peace senior radiation physicist Kitkawin Aramrun said there was no other contamination detected within five-kilometre radius of the smelter plant.
He said all 70 employees at the smelting plant have been asked to stop working temporarily and undergo health check. – Bernama
