Experts fear presence of more radioactive sources in Mayapuri

Fearing presence of more radioactive sources in Delhi scrap yard Mayapuri, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) plan to carry out a multi-pronged approach survey in the area.

Fearing presence of more radioactive sources in Delhi scrap yard Mayapuri, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) plan to carry out a multi-pronged approach survey in the area.

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"But the scrap dealers and the people in the area have to cooperate with the authorities," they said.

So far eight victims have suffered in this month after exposure of radioactive material in Mayapuri. All of them are still in a critical condition with dangerously low platelet counts and depleted bone marrows.

Besides this, thousands of people in the area now live in fear.

AERB officials said, so far the joint team of NDMA, AERB and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Department of Atomic Energy crisis management has detected 11 sources of radioactive cobalt-60 from the Mayapuri scrap yard using `Tele-detectors’.

"We have to carry out thorougher searches at the scrap yard, shop by shop, through close inspection and this is our proposal. This requires co-operation from scrap dealers as well as the colony people," a senior official of the team told PTI.