Radioactive leak at BARC, one hurt
By IANSWednesday, May 12, 2010
MUMBAI - An employee at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) was exposed to radiation while transferring radioactive material in the complex here Wednesday, an official said.
The staffer - whose name or rank has not been disclosed - was taking radioactive samples in a sealed container from one laboratory to another for analysis.
The BARC said there was no spillage of the radioactive substance by the employee, indicating that the material could have leaked.
The matter was immediately brought to the notice of experts in the BARC and the employee, whose hands were affected, was isolated.
He underwent a thorough process of decontamination before being cleared for normal duties, the official said.
As a precaution, two other employees who were in the vicinity were also medically tested. They were found free of any contamination.
Earlier, media reports quoting unnamed official sources had claimed that at least 10 scientists were exposed to radiation.
In December 2009, two scientists were burnt to death in a fire inside the BARC complex.
The latest incident comes close on heels of the death of a man who was exposed to radiation from a radioactive material sold as junk by the Delhi University.
