Confirmed contamination with radioactive cesium-137

After the Prachin Buri Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office was notified by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation through coordination from the Office of Atoms for Peace that

On March 11, 2023 at 9:00 a.m., a radioactive cesium 137 of the National Power Plant 5A Co., Ltd. was lost from the installation. The radioactive material has been in use for about 28 years. nearby factory Antiques shop Iron smelter As well as calling for more than 20 factory employees to investigate, including using drones and cars to detect radioactive emissions But no radioactive material caesium-137 has yet been found.

Later, the Office of Atoms for Peace (NRSA) sent staff to measure the radiation. in the smelter industry from Discontinued scrap steel in the area of Prachin Buri province, 5 locations, the results of the inspection showed that there was a factory. Contaminated with radioactive cesium-137 in the metal dust obtained from metal production and experts from the DEA have controlled and inspected the surrounding factory areas. It was found that the metal obtained from The production process did not find radioactive contamination of cesium-137.

When measuring the radiation dose around the factory area, it was found that The radiation dose level is normal according to amount of radiation in nature In addition, the air quality and water quality in the surrounding areas of the factory were examined. radiation level at normal levels according to the amount of radiation in nature No radioactive contamination in the environment Contamination of radioactive cesium-137 in the red dust occurred from recycling smelters that were used to buy scrap metal. containing radioactive material caesium-137 into the smelting process and when the material Radioactive cesium-137

Entering the smelting process, cesium-137 will be smelted and vaporized in the melting furnace, which will have a waste filtration system from the production process and it works in a completely closed system. make cesium-137 Will be contaminated in the metal dust obtained from the smelting process. Which these contaminated dust will have a filter system to Prevent the spread into the environment. and stored Controlled in a closed system.

so metal dust Contaminated contamination has been suspended from movement and restricted from leaving the factory area. The results of the inspection showed no radiation contamination from the worker whatsoever. Initially, the Office of Atoms for Peace Extracorporeal radiation measurements were performed on all workers inside and near the plant.

It can be concluded that metal dust is contaminated with radioactive cesium-197. Contaminated in a limited area and supervised by the experts of the Office of Atoms for Peace. This event did not cause the release of radioactive cesium-197. to the environment There is no impact on the health of people in the surrounding areas and the area. And urged the public not to panic and the whole situation has been brought under control by all relevant authorities.