AERB to eye old sources of radiation

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board is the authority that deals with the use of radioactive material such as Cobalt 60 for any purpose in India.

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is the authority that deals with the use of radioactive material such as Cobalt 60 for any purpose in India.

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On Wednesday, as Cobalt 60 found in Mayapuri was traced to a lab in DU, the AERB officials refused to take responsibility for any danger caused by (radioactive) material commissioned prior to its inception in 1983. “It was not our mandate to smoke out the use of radioactive material commissioned before the board was formed,” said Dr S.S. Bajaj, chairman, AERB.

“We will do something to find if more such old sources of radiation are out there.”

The Delhi University procured the gamma radiator machine in 1968 but the board, after coming into existence some 20 years later, never tried to find out the use of any such machine containing radioactive material commissioned before its inception.