9 Workers Exposed To Cs-137 Radiation In Cikande, Minister Of Environment: This Is A Hard Alarm For Us

Members of the Radionuclide Cs-13 Radiation Handling Task Force from Gegana Polri and KLH installed barriers from the location with a Cesium-137 exposure rate above normal limits. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Environment (LH) Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said the case of radioactive exposure to Cesium-137 (Cs-137) in the Cikande Modern Industrial area, Serang Regency, West Java, was a strong alarm for the Indonesian people to strengthen the monitoring system of hazardous materials and environmental preparedness.

This 'contamination and exposure to Cesium-137 radionuclides is a strong alarm for all of us. He demands an integrated, measurable, and coordinated response from all elements of the nation," said Hanif Faisol at the Cs-137 Radiation Hazard Management Preparedness Apple at the Cikande Police Headquarters, Serang Regency, Monday, which was confiscated by Antara.

According to Hanif, the radiation level detected at one of the industrial estate points reaches 33,000 microsieverts per hour, or about 875,000 times that of natural radiation. He stressed that this fact shows a very serious danger to human and environmental safety.

At least nine workers were declared exposed to radionuclide Cs-137 based on the results of the Whole Body Counting health test by the Ministry of Health.

"We are grateful that we have taken serious treatment to our exposed brothers and sisters in the form of giving special drugs. They are currently at their respective homes under the supervision of the Ministry of Health," said Hanif.

He said the government had formed a cross-ministerial task force to ensure that the handling of the Cs-137 contamination was carried out quickly and measurably, based on the Decree of the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Number 43 of 2025.

"We must accelerate the completion process of Cs-137 and provide certainty of the government's handling of this case. The government must be present and complete it as soon as possible so that all sectors of life feel safe," he said.

Hanif explained that the government already has a contamination zoning map compiled by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and updated by the Nuclear Energy Supervisory Agency (BAPETEN).

"This map is a reference in the implementation of dcontamination and the handling of affected communities. We entrust the target to the field task force so that the decontamination process is completed as quickly as possible," he said.

targeting the cleaning of industrial areas to be completed as soon as possible by more than 100 personnel from the Brimob Police Corps Chemical, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear Unit (KBRN), one platoon of Denzi Nubika TNI AD, and experts from PT Grafika.

"For the sake of the safety of all parties, decontamination activities must follow BRIN's standards and technical rules and supervision of BAPETEN," he said.

He also emphasized the importance of discipline and safety in the implementation of decontamination. All decontamination activities must follow the agreed standards and technical rules. The contaminated area must be a limited area for the safety of the community and workers," he said.

In the aspect of law enforcement, Hanif ensured that there was no compromise against any party who was negligent, causing this radiation exposure.

"I have asked the field of law enforcement to speed up the process, from investigation to investigation to further legal steps. This is crucial to trace the source of radiation, both from imports of iron and steel stamps as well as from the possibility of submersing Cesium-137 domestically," he said.

He said that the manager of the Cikande Modern Industrial area was required to support the construction of temporary storage facilities (interim storage) for radioactive materials resulting from decontamination in the area of PT Peter Metalsatuan Kimia, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear (KBRN Technology). Based on BRIN's recommendation, the facility is targeted to operate no later than early 2026.

Hanif emphasized that the Ministry of Environment has decided to temporarily suspend recommendations for importing iron and steel stamps from abroad, so that the monitoring system for used metal materials is declared safe. "This kind of incident should not be repeated in the territory of the Republic of Indonesia," he said.

In addition to technical and legal aspects, Hanif also highlighted the importance of social protection for affected communities. "Health checks have been carried out on nearly 1,600 workers and the community, and this number will continue to be improved so that the safety of the Cikande people is truly guaranteed," he said.

He added that communication, information, and education activities (KIE) would be carried out massively by involving ministries, local governments, the TNI, Polri, and village officials.

"The success of this handling is determined by the trust and participation of the public. The KIE team will involve all levels so that the public gets direct and correct information about the steps of decontamination," he said.

Closing his directives, Hanif reminded all members of the task force to carry out the three main principles, namely discipline, collaboration, and safety.

'Discipline is key, collaboration is strength, and safety is a price that we must ensure. Carry out this task with full responsibility, dedication, and honesty," said Hanif.