New Delhi: All chemistry laboratories will be shut for two weeks as India's nuclear watchdogs complete their investigation on whether Delhi University was lax in handling radioactive material. In fact, the University faces losing all permissions to work with this kind of material.
A team of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is carrying out a comprehensive search through scrap shops in Mayapuri after NDTV reported on more radioactive waste being present at the ground zero of India's first radiation exposure.
Hours after NDTV first reported on more lethal radioactive waste lying out in the open, scientists of India's nuclear watchdog had resumed their search for more radioactive material at ground zero of India's first case of radiation exposure. (
Read: No lessons learnt after toxic blunder)
A joint team of atomic scientists of the Department of Atomic Energy reached shortly after 9 pm on Thursday and scanned the shop of Harcharan Singh Bhola, who had bought the
Gamma Ray Irradiator from Delhi University's chemistry department. (
Read: What is Gamma Irradiator)
The search team apparently found no radioactive substance. The Deputy Commissioner of Police Sharad Aggarwal said the search was conducted as a precautionary measure. NDTV had first reported that danger is still lurking as more cobalt pencils are missing and may be lying around in scrap shops. (
Read & watch: How to handle radioactive Cobalt-60)
On Thursday, details emerged about more lethal toxic pieces from Delhi University's Gamma Irradiator. Meanwhile, the future of about 300 students hangs in balance after Delhi University Chemistry Department has been barred from using radioactive materials for research.(
Read: Delhi University admits fault for radiation leak)
The officials went on search mode to retrieve the missing toxic pieces which could harm more people.
"There is every possibility that there is still more radioactivity out there in Delhi", Dr SS Bajaj, Chairman, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board confirmed to NDTV.
The Delhi University's machine possibly had 54 slots for cobalt pencils. The big worry is that till date, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has confiscated only five radioactive pencils. (
Read & Watch: Radiation leak source traced to Delhi University Chemistry lab)
It could be that 49 slots were unused or empty. But, officials suspect that given the sort of work done by the lab, there could be at least three missing radioactive pencils.
On its part the authorities have combed the Mayapuri scrap market and declared it clean.
Also read:One patient dies in Delhi due to radiation exposure