New Delhi:
The radioactive Cobalt-60 found in west Delhi's Mayapuri has been traced to Delhi University's Chemistry Department, where it was lying unused for the last 25 years. The radiation leak led to 11 people being hospitalised. One of them has died. (
Read: One patient dies in Delhi due to radiation exposure)
The Cobalt-60 was in a "Gamma Irradiator", which was bought in 1968 from Canada and had not been in use since 1985, police said on Wednesday, adding that it was bought by scrap dealers in Mayapuri through an auction in February this year.
Gamma Irradiators are used for sterilisation or decontamination. Gamma Irradiation kills bacteria and the process exposes products or substances to gamma rays, the most common source of which is the radioactive Cobalt-60.
"We have traced the radioactive material to Delhi University's Chemistry Department. The equipment was in use till 1985 and after that it was lying in a room unused. ," Joint Commissioner of Police (Southern Range) Ajay Kashyap said.
The Mayapuri scrap dealers dismantled the equipment and in the process, the lead covering on it was peeled off leading to radiation exposure, Kashyap said. He said the four workers who are undergoing treatment at city hospitals were shown photographs of the equipment and one of them identified it.
Delhi University Vice Chancellor Deepak Pental immediately said, "There has been negligence and I take full moral responsibility. We will set up a probe." (
Watch: I take full responsibility, says DU Vice Chancellor)
Panic had gripped Mayapuri in the first week of April when 11 people were admitted to hospitals after they were exposed to radiation. A worker in the scrap shop from where the Cobalt-60 was discovered later died from exposure to radiation.
(With PTI inputs)