Delhi University purchased an old gamma cell 220 made by “Atomic Energy Canada Ltd.” with decayed Cobalt 60 sources.
Cobalt is a harmless chemical, but its isotope Cobalt 60 emits deadly radiation.
The Department of Chemistry, sold the device as ordinary scrap. The workers in the shop which purchased it fell ill. One died. The University must answer the following questions:
Why was it not purchased from Indian Department of Atomic Energy ?
What was the purpose of purchasing the device?
When was it bought?
How much money did they spend for it?
What utility did they have for it?
Did they not inform the Atomic Energy Department? Why?
Did they not know it contains radio active Cobalt 60?
Why was it sold as scrap?
How much did they get as price?
What research did they do with it?
Why did they keep mum, when the report of it came in the newspapers?
Whether all people who handled it were checked for contamination by radiation?
From an article in The Hindu dated 1-5-10, it would seem that loss of radio active devices is common. Proper inventory of such things should be maintained and periodic inspections carried out to verify their physical presence. Those in custody of these dangerous things, must send annual returns, certifying their possession.
The Department of Chemistry, sold the device as ordinary scrap. The workers in the shop which purchased it fell ill. One died. The University must answer the following questions:
Why was it not purchased from Indian Department of Atomic Energy ?
What was the purpose of purchasing the device?
When was it bought?
How much money did they spend for it?
What utility did they have for it?
Did they not inform the Atomic Energy Department? Why?
Did they not know it contains radio active Cobalt 60?
Why was it sold as scrap?
How much did they get as price?
What research did they do with it?
Why did they keep mum, when the report of it came in the newspapers?
Whether all people who handled it were checked for contamination by radiation?
From an article in The Hindu dated 1-5-10, it would seem that loss of radio active devices is common. Proper inventory of such things should be maintained and periodic inspections carried out to verify their physical presence. Those in custody of these dangerous things, must send annual returns, certifying their possession.
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