Jakarta (ANTARA) - Decontamination efforts have been carried out at four business sites within the Cikande Modern Industrial Estate in Serang, Banten, following exposure to the radioactive substance Cesium-137 (Cs-137).

Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq stated on Wednesday that the task force continues to decontaminate radiation sources at Site F and at several companies identified with Cs-137 exposure over the past two days.

“Immediate measures to address Cs-137 contamination are being implemented through scientific exposure mapping across multiple zones. This includes collecting soil, water, and plant samples, while factoring in wind direction, demographic patterns, and community movement,” he explained.

Access to contaminated areas has been restricted, and radiation hazard signs have been clearly posted.

The minister confirmed that the government has classified the Cs-137 contamination in Cikande as a special incident, triggering cross-sector coordination to accelerate recovery efforts and protect both the environment and public health.

To ensure thorough mapping of the affected area, a joint team from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten), and the National Police conducted a survey within a 2–5 kilometer radius of the radiation epicenter.

Nurofiq noted that the survey involved sampling soil, well water, vegetation, river sediment, and lake sediment.

At Location E, radiation hazard signs were installed after measurements showed radiation levels exceeding 500 microsieverts per hour.

During his site visit on Tuesday, the minister confirmed that the vehicle monitoring post operated by the Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob) Bomb Squad was actively detecting potential radiation exposure.

He also sealed a newly identified location contaminated with Cs-137 and conducted public outreach in Nambo Udik Village, Cikande, to raise awareness about the health risks of radioactive contamination.



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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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