AERB permits use of low strength radiation sources by DU

Mumbai, Jan 25 (PTI) The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board,which had suspended handling of radioactive sources by DelhiUniversity last year and later withdrew authorisation after aradiological accident, today permitted the use of only lowradiation sources by the varsity.

"Pursuant to the radiological accident that occurred inMayapuri, New Delhi, in April last year, resulting fromunauthorised disposal of equipment containing radioactivematerial (Cobalt-60) to scrap dealers, AERB had taken actionculminating in suspension of handling of radioactive sourcesby various departments of Delhi University and subsequentlywithdrew authorisation," an AERB release said.

One person was killed and 10 others suffered injuries inthe radioactive material exposure incident at a scrapyard inMayapuri, which was traced to ''Gamma Irradiator'', auctioned bythe university to a scrap dealer.

According to the release, in December last year, theuniversity made a submission to AERB asking for permission torestart use of radioactive sources in the interest of thestudents, whose course work required availability of suchsources.

AERB secretary R Bhattacharya said the varsity hassubmitted that all the regulatory stipulations vis-a-vishandling of radioactive sources by various departments of theuniversity have been complied with.

As per AERB requirements, the university has appointedqualified radiological safety officers (RSOs). Also, allunused sources have been safely disposed off, he said. (MORE)PTI LV VKV