Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq on Wednesday stated that the Cs-137 Radiation Hazard Management Task Force has secured the PT PMT area suspected of being the source of the Cesium-137 radioactive contamination in PT BMS frozen shrimp products exported to the United States.
"We are still conducting more detailed mapping. The initial results were six locations, now there are 10. But this inventory is not done yet. We will conduct a detailed inventory to determine steps for decontamination, remediation, and public health recovery," he informed.
According to him, two locations have begun the decontamination process, while eight others are still undergoing a detailed inventory before further action.
Nurofiq confirmed that with the declaration of a special situation in the Cikande Modern Industrial Area, the entry and exit of goods are being strictly controlled.
The Environment Ministry, with support from the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and the Indonesian National Police's Bomb Squad (Gegana), is utilizing nine portable detectors.
BRIN's radiation portal monitor (RPM) is also being assembled, along with joint outreach with health workers, the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), the National Police, and community leaders regarding the dangers of Cesium-137 radiation.
The government is also preparing temporary storage that meets International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards.
"We hope this will be built within the next 1-2 months. Then, we will move the contaminated material there, perhaps within one to two years. Under the direction of the Coordinating Minister for Food, we will build long-term storage for Cesium-137 because its half-life is quite long, 30 years," the minister explained.
Last August, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) returned some frozen shrimp exports due to the discovery of radioactive Cesium-137 contamination.
In response, the Cs-137 Radiation Hazard Vulnerability Management Task Force, chaired by Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan, took action through the Environment Ministry by sealing the factory area suspected of being the source of the contamination in the Cikande Modern Industrial Estate, Serang District, Banten.
The government has carried out decontamination efforts at several locations, prepared temporary storage facilities for Cesium-137 waste, and provided health care to residents.
Hasan confirmed on Tuesday (September 30) that the case of radioactive Cesium-137 contamination in shrimp products only occurred in the Cikande Modern Industrial Estate and did not spread to the national supply chain or exports.
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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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