Finding 10 Locations Of Cesium-137 Radiation In Cikande, New KLH Decontamination 2 Points

Minister of Environment and Forestry Hanif Faisol Nurofiq in an effort to decontaminate nuclide radio contamination Cesium-137 in the Cikande industrial area, Serang Regency, Tuesday (23/9/2025). ANTARA/Devi Nindy

The government conducted a detailed inventory to ensure that the decontamination process of 10 points suspected of being contaminated with Cesium-137 (Cs-137) radioactive substances in the Cikande Modern Industrial Estate, Serang Regency, Banten.

Minister of Environment (LH) Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said the Cs-137 Radiation Hazard Management Task Force had secured the PT PMT area which is suspected to be a source of radioactive Cesium-137 shrimp products frozen by PT BMS which were exported to the United States (US).

"This is then still a serious mapping, in more detail. The first result has 6 points, now it is 10 points. But this inventory has not been completed, we will take a detailed inventory to determine the steps of decontamination, remediation and restoration of public health," said Hanif when met after the commemoration of World Lake Day 2025 and the Lake Indonesia Rescue Coordination Meeting in Jakarta, Wednesday, was confiscated by Antara.

Two locations have started the decontamination process, while the other eight dots are still in the detailed inventory stage before further handling.

He said that with the determination of special state status in the Cikande Modern Industrial Estate, activities in and out of goods were strictly controlled. KLH with the support of the Nuclear Energy Supervisory Agency (Bapeten), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and the Gegana Police Team utilized 9 portable detectors.

BRIN's radiation portal monitor (RPM) is also being prepared, which is accompanied by socialization together with health workers, the TNI/Polri and community leaders related to the dangers of Cesium-137 radiation.

"So then we decontaminate the items, we put them in the warehouse of PT Peter Metal Technology (PMT), because from them based on expert information and scientific evidence from the lab the source is there. So we return them there for temporary storage," he explained.

The government is also preparing temporary storage that meets the international Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"We hope that in 1-2 months we will wake up. Then we will move the goods there maybe 1-2 years while nationally with the direction of the Coordinating Minister for Food, we will build a long term storage for Cesium-137. Because the half-life is quite long, 30 years," said Hanif.

Previously, in August, the US FDA returned a number of exports of frozen shrimp due to the findings of Cesium-137 radioactive contamination.

In response to the Cs-137 Radiation Hazard Management Task Force, chaired by the Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan, took steps through KLH/BPLH by sealing the factory area which is suspected to be a source of contamination in the Cikande Modern Industrial Estate, Serang Regency, Banten.

The government has made efforts to decontaminate at a number of points, prepare temporary storage of Cesium-137 waste and handle residents' health.

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli on Tuesday, September 30, confirmed that cases of contamination of Cesium-137 radioactive substances to shrimp products only occurred in the Cikande Modern Industrial Estate and did not spread to the national and export supply chains.