BANGKOK: Radioactive substances were detected at a smelter in Kabin Buri district of Prachin Buri province in eastern Thailand on Sunday, after a metal cylinder with similar contents was reported missing earlier this month.
The cylindrical cylinder measuring 5 inches in diameter and 8 inches in length contains radioactive substances called Caesium 137. The 25 - kg container was found missing from a local power plant in Prachin Buri during routine checks. It has yet to be found.
Exposure to large amounts of Caesium 137 can cause blood and nervous systems to be damaged, lead to seizures and even lead to death, according to the Thai Public Health Ministry.
Yesterday morning, a Caesium 137 detector was detected in big bags at a smelting factory in Kabin Buri district of Prachin Buri, said Prachin Buri governor Ronnarong Nakornjinda at a press conference on Monday.
The authorities have confirmed that Caesium 137 can't be created on its own by nature, but must be created by humans. The bags where the substances were found contain residue from smelting, according to Mr Ronnarong.
As soon as this was confirmed in the evening, we cordoned off the area and prevented people from entering it. The authorities also checked nearby areas for the substances, according to the governor.
When the radioactive detection equipment was placed close to the bags, the reading showed that there were Caesium 137 substances there. He added that the reading showed no such substances at about 10 m away.
There are about 70 employees at the smelting plant and they have been asked to stop working temporarily for safety reasons. A medical team and officials from the Office of Atoms for Peace in Thailand will conduct health checks for the employees, according to Ronnarong.
The missing cylinder belongs to the National Power Plant 5 A company. Permsuk Sutchaphiwat, secretary general of the Office of Atoms for Peace, said in the press conference on Monday that the incident was not reported to the authorities as soon as the company became aware of the missing cylinder.
He said that we still don't know how it went missing.
The smelting plant has been sealed off and radioactive detection equipment has been used to screen the area, Mr Permsuk said.
The Office of Atoms for Peace is under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. It regulates the safe utilisation of radiation and nuclear materials in Thailand, according to international standards and obligations.
Authorities have not been able to confirm whether the radioactive substances detected at the smelter in Kabin Buri district came from the missing cylinder.
The police are trying to find out whether that is the case. But we know that Caesium 137 has been found in the Kabin Buri district of Prachin Buri, and that such substances aren't easily found in such an amount, Mr Permsuk said.
The public should not be exposed to radioactive substances or suspicious metal containers, according to the Disease Control Department of the Public Health Ministry.
People who live in the area should register with the authorities and wash their hands every time they eat food or drinks.
People are advised to reduce the contamination by cleaning their eyes with clean running water and washing their hands as well as their body and hair if they are exposed to the substances. They are advised to change their clothes immediately.
All belongings believed to be contaminated with radioactive substances should be sent for inspection by the authorities.