Task Force Completes Contaminated Re-Import Shrimp Destruction Cesium-137

Officers entered a box filled with shrimp imported back into Indonesia after it was found that it was contaminated with radioactive Cesium-137 BETWEEN/HO-KLH

The government through the Cesium-137 Handling Task Force (Cs- 137) has completed the destruction of imported shrimp products or imported products returned because they were contaminated with Cesium-137 radioactive substances.

Minister of Environment (LH) Hanif Faisol Nurofiq as the Daily Chair of the Cs-137 Task Force said that the completion of the extermination on Wednesday was carried out on 494 shrimp cartons belonging to PT BMS which had been examined by the Nuclear Energy Supervisory Agency (Bapeten) and declared unfit for distribution.

"Our main priority is to protect public health and ensure environmental security from potential radiation hazards," said LH/Head of the Environmental Control Agency (BPLH) Hanif Faisol Nurofiq in a confirmed statement from Jakarta, Antara, Thursday, November 27.

Bapeten's examination results show that the returned shrimp products do not deserve to be circulated based on the radiation dose rate parameter according to the US FDA (US) standard. Although the wet test results show Cs-137 content below 100 becquerel (bq)/kg limits that can be released into the environment.

Minister LH Hanif said the government continues to determine the product as non-radioactive B3 waste so that handling is carried out optimally and eliminates all potential risks.

The extermination process is carried out using an incinerator or arson method at a B3 waste treatment facility that has received permission from the Ministry of Environment and Environment (KLH)/BPLH using a Vertical Stoker type incinerator at temperatures 800 to 900 degrees Celsius.

The facility is equipped with Air Emission Control Equipment and Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) to ensure there is no impact on environmental pollution and public health.

The ash from the incineration is handled through macro encapsulation with solidification/concrete in the High-Density Polyethylen (HDPE) box, then placed in the class 1 landfill operated by PT PPLI.

He ensured that the destruction process was carried out according to radiation and environmental security protocols.

Minister of Environment and Forestry Hanif added that efforts to mitigate and decontaminate contamination Cs-137 in the Cikande area, Banten, continue to be carried out intensively by the Task Force.

The progress shows significant results, where the contaminated factory facility has been decontaminated and is back in operation.

Until now, the Cs-137 contaminated material that has been successfully transferred has reached 1116.6 tons, placed in the PT PMT interim storage. The entire decontamination process is targeted for completion by the end of November.