DILG prepares for arrival of contaminated radioactive materials

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government has activated the DILG chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear preparedness and response cluster as it prepares for the repatriation of 23 radioactive shipping containers from Indonesia.

Indonesian authorities have prohibited the entry of the shipment after its Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency detected elevated radiation levels of Cesium-137 or Cs-137 “beyond established safety thresholds” on Sept. 16.

The agency recommended the shipment’s immediate repatriation to the Philippines.

Initial investigation showed that the containers originated from Zannwann International Trading Corp., a Chinese trading firm based in Meycauayan, Bulacan.

To map out a coordinated action plan for the safe handling of the containers, DILG undersecretaries Serafin Baretto Jr. and Nestor Sanares presided over an emergency meeting with representatives from the Philippine Ports Authority, Bureau of Customs (BOC), Department of Health–Bureau of Quarantine and the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI).

The BOC does not have an operating “radiation portal monitor” capability after its two RPM machines were found to be unserviceable and in need of repair.

After radiological survey by the Office of Civil Defense in Region 3 and Meycauayan Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office at the Zannwann premises, the DOST-PNRI confirmed Cs-137 contamination outside two warehouses of Xin Recycling, a sister company of Zannwann.

Although inspectors were not allowed to enter the warehouses, the affected areas were cordoned off for isolation.

The DOST warned that Cesium-137 poses serious public health risks through external exposure, inhalation or ingestion.