New Delhi, April 29: The origin of radioactive Cobalt-60 found in west Delhi’s Mayapuri, which led to the death of one person, has been traced to Delhi University’s Chemistry Department where it was lying unused since the last 25 years.
The Cobalt-60 was in a “Gamma Irradiator”, which was bought in 1968 from Canada and was not in use since 1985, police said on Wednesday adding it was bought by scrap dealers in Mayapuri through an auction in February this year.
“We have traced the radioactive material to Delhi University’s Chemistry Department. One of the equipment the scrap dealers bought was Gamma Irradiator,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Southern Range) Ajay Kashyap said.
The scrap dealers dismantled the equipment and in the process, the lead covering on it was pealed off leading to radiation exposure, Kashyap said.
The equipment was in use till 1985 and after that it was lying in a room unused.
Govt to train doctors in treatment of radiation cases
In the wake of radiation at a scrapyard, Delhi Government has decided to chalk out a programme in consultation with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to train its doctors for such emergencies.
Health Minister Kiran Walia said doctors of all the Delhi Government hospitals would be trained to treat patients affected by nuclear, biological, chemical or radioactive material.
The city government has decided to set up an isolated ward at a city hospital to offer treatment in such cases.
She said the city government will follow the guidelines and recommendations of NDMA to meet the challenges of any such incidents.
“Government is highly concerned about the incident of radiation leak and will put its best effort to ensure that no such incident happen in future,” she said addressing a function at AIIMS.
—Agencies