Cikande Industrial Estate Hit by Major Cesium-137 Contamination Event
A major contamination event has been declared in the Cikande Industrial Estate in Serang, Banten, due to widespread Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination. The government began investigating in November 2021 and has now identified ten affected sites, including the Peter Metal Technology (PMT) plant and residential areas. At least nine people have been affected.
The contamination was traced back to the PMT plant, which used scrap metal contaminated with Cs-137 as its raw material. This spread the radioactive isotope through airborne dust during the melting process. Cs-137 is highly dangerous, causing severe burns, radiation sickness, and increased cancer risk with high exposure.
Authorities have begun decontamination efforts at two sites, with the remaining eight undergoing assessments. So far, 700kg of contaminated scrap metal has been removed from the PMT plant and stored temporarily. Monitoring of goods entering and leaving the estate is in place to ensure safety. The full recovery process is expected to take several months.
The government has declared a special radioactive contamination event in the Cikande Industrial Estate. Ten sites are affected, with at least nine people impacted. The contamination was traced to the PMT plant and is being addressed through decontamination efforts. The process is expected to take several months, with authorities monitoring the area for safety.
