Traces of caesium-137 have been found in a Thai steel foundry—a cylinder containing that dangerous radioactive substance disappeared in Thailand over a week ago. The local authorities reported this on Monday.
“We are not sure whether the cylinder has already melted,” said provincial governor Narong Nakornjinda. “However, we did find traces of caesium ten kilometres from the coal-fired power plant in Prachinburi, east of Bangkok, where the cylinder disappeared.”
Nakornjinda further stated that tests on the factory workers and the surrounding areas had not shown any contamination so far. Therefore, official authorities say they are convinced they can control the situation and limit the area of infection.
During a routine check-in in mid-March, a steel pipe measuring 30 centimetres long and 13 centimetres wide suddenly turned out to be missing. The company suspected the cylinder had fallen off a wall several days earlier. However, radiation tests showed the pipe was removed from the site, prompting authorities to warn of health risks from direct exposure. The centre was also closed for an investigation.
The radioactive substance in the cylinder is contained in a sealed environment, but “if someone opens the cylinder and exposes themselves, it could cause skin rashes and burns,” the government warned. The cylinder was part of an installation used to measure steam pressure. However, the authorities did not clarify exactly how much caesium-137 is in it.
