Myapuri residents tested for radiation exposure

NEW DELHI - Thirteen people underwent medical examinations at the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) in New Delhi Friday to check whether they have been exposed to harmful radiations, an INMAS official told IANS.

The check-ups were conducted on the residents of the west Delhi locality of Mayapuri where cobalt-60 radiation exposure cases were first reported April 8. Policemen who were working on the case also were tested.

“Blood count of the person is important in such cases. The blood samples have been taken and results are yet to come. More residents from around the scrap market would be monitored tomorrow,” the official said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (West Delhi) Sharad Aggarwal told IANS that the policemen working on the case were asked to go for the check-up “as a precautionary measure on the advice of doctors since they also might have exposed themselves to the radiations.”

Eight people have so far been admitted to hospitals of the city for treatment of the radiation.

Deepak Jain, a scrap metal dealer from Mayapuri, was the first victim. He turned black after he touched the radioactive source. He had a considerably suppressed bone marrow and is hospitalised at the Indraprastha Apollo hospital.

Five of the six patients of radiation exposure admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are showing signs of improvement, the hospital authorities said. One patient continues to have low blood cell count and is being closely monitored by a team of doctors.

Ajay Jain, another scrap metal dealer from Mayapuri, was admitted to Max Hospital in Pitampura on April 10. He suffered minor burns and was declared radiation free by the hospital authorities. His condition is being monitored.