Suspected radioactive scare prompts evacuation

[snoop1130]

Suspected radioactive scare prompts evacuation

BANGKOK -- Officials from the Office of Atomic Energy for Peace Thailand were dispatched to an abandoned building in Paholyothin Soi 24 after a box suspected to contain radioactive substance was found.

The building has been sealed off.

Officials are not sure what is inside the box but the box is attached with a sticker bearing the symbol of radioactive material.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/163105

-- Thai PBS 2016-05-12

[snoop1130]

Authorities Investigate Possible Radiation Leak in Bangkok
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter

A container discovered Thursday afternoon in a Bangkok warehouse on Soi Phahonyothin 24. Photo: @Praramcommand / Twitter

BANGKOK — Officials from Thailand's atomic energy agency investigating an abandoned container Thursday afternoon in a Bangkok warehouse have determined there is no danger of radiation leak, police said.

Col. Phanudech Sukwong of Phaholyothin police said although no leak was found and there was no need to evacuate residents, they shut down the building where the container, marked with radiation warning labels, was found on Soi Phahonyothin 24.

Full Story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1463043859

-- Khaosod English 2016-05-12

[webfact]

Suspected radioactive substance is Iridium 192: Science minister



BANGKOK: -- Minister of Science and Technology Mr Pichet Durongkhaverote has confirmed that the suspected hazardous material contained in a steel box bearing the radiation symbol was Iridium 192 which is used in gamma radiography.

He said that the Iridium 192 the steel box which was discarded at an abandoned building in Paholyothin Soi 24 has been cleared of any radiation and is, therefore safe. It will however be taken to the Office of Atomic Energy for Peace for safe keeping, he added.

Residents in Paholyothin Soi 24 were temporarily evacuated by officials after the suspected box was found by the building owner, Mrs Pimchaya Sutsarnphan, who then alerted the police.

The soi was sealed off as officials from the Office of Atomic Energy for Peace arrived at the scene to examine the box.

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/163140

-- Thai PBS 2016-05-13

[webfact]

Officials confirm no radioactive leak in Bangkok

BANGKOK, 13 May 2016 (NNT) – After investigations, experts have turned down reports of a leakage of cobalt-60 in Bangkok, clarifying that inside the mysterious container was indeed Iridium-192.

Related officials were dispatched to Soi Phahonyothin 24 in Chatuchak district, Bangkok to inspect a container, suspected to be the source of a leakage of cobalt-60, a radioactive material that is hazardous to people. Police, along with Chatuchak district officials and experts from the Health Department of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, quickly arrived at the site at around 3 p.m. to investigate the incident.

The officials found a radioactive substance container with a warning label, and the container was still intact. Experts from the Office of Atoms for Peace were then called in to examine the item to ensure safety for people in the neighborhood.

After a thorough inspection, the experts identified the substance inside the container as Iridium-192, not the deadly cobalt-60. No radioactive leak was detected in the area.


-- NNT 2016-05-13

[DrTuner]

Seems Thais have taken on a new hobby, forgetting hazardous substances in public places.

[jlwilliamsjr18]

Sometimes, I feel that anything found or happens that's hazardous, is always found to be harmless or taken care. Really is always that way? Do the authorities really know more than the rest of the world? Is it some kind of trait that people have or is it smoke and mirrors and denial?

[overherebc]

It's an old Iridium container used in industry for sure. Very unlikely but not impossible that the 'pill' is still inside. Still got the locks and blocks on the ends.

Not active in itself just a container that looks pretty beat up. Carry handle is missing so most likely empty and no danger unless you drop it on your toes, because it is heavy.

Even if the pill is inside it's not dangerous to touch or carry, that's what it was designed for. It's used with a wind out tube mechanism to get the 'pill' in the correct position for doing Gamma radiography not x-ray radiography.

Mainly used on pipework and not too thick steel welds. Used to be standard practice to carry in your car or works van when travelling around if the vehicle is fitted with the approved safe box and appropriate stickers.

[scotchonrocks]

Mai Pen Rai!

[chrisinth]

It is unusual that this was left on site as generally all NDT companies have strict control on these boxes. Someone will be getting their wrist slapped for this.

Thats throughout the world by the way, not just Thailand.

[Zendo]

Hummm... Can't wait to see this kind of construction on Thailand landscape !!!

[Peterphuket]

It's an old Iridium container used in industry for sure. Very unlikely but not impossible that the 'pill' is still inside. Still got the locks and blocks on the ends.

Not active in itself just a container that looks pretty beat up. Carry handle is missing so most likely empty and no danger unless you drop it on your toes, because it is heavy.

Even if the pill is inside it's not dangerous to touch or carry, that's what it was designed for. It's used with a wind out tube mechanism to get the 'pill' in the correct position for doing Gamma radiography not x-ray radiography.

Mainly used on pipework and not too thick steel welds. Used to be standard practice to carry in your car or works van when travelling around if the vehicle is fitted with the approved safe box and appropriate stickers.

Nice explanation,

Thanks.

[overherebc]

Just read a report saying that it contained bars of Iridium 192.

A bit odd as the usual size for inside this kind of unit is 1mm x 2mm not really a bar. Hence the reason we commonly use the word pill.

if this is the case then someone has removed all the heavy shielding inside, not an easy job and somehow put it back together, even more difficult.

Can't quote where I read about the 'bars'. ☺

[peterrabbit]

'suspected to be the source of a leakage of cobalt-60, a radioactive material that is hazardous to people'

Is this sentence something that has been 'lost in translation' or is there a current ongoing investigation into a 'leak' of cobalt 60 in Bangkok?

Can anyone clarify what exactly they are saying.

[Koosdedooes]

Just read a report saying that it contained bars of Iridium 192.

A bit odd as the usual size for inside this kind of unit is 1mm x 2mm not really a bar. Hence the reason we commonly use the word pill.

if this is the case then someone has removed all the heavy shielding inside, not an easy job and somehow put it back together, even more difficult.

Can't quote where I read about the 'bars'. ☺

I would put it down to Thai to English translation thats all...

Be thankful they are not using the other common term used for an isotope..."bomb"....TVs finest would be grabbing for their heart medication and claiming "the muslims" had planted a dirty bomb in BKK

Fact is the BIB should be able to back track and find out who it belongs to...these sources are only done in 1 place in Thailand and thats the reaserch reactor in BKK, ie the Atoms for peace lot, looking at the reports they already have it

[Koosdedooes]

It is unusual that this was left on site as generally all NDT companies have strict control on these boxes. Someone will be getting their wrist slapped for this.

Thats throughout the world by the way, not just Thailand.

I like the phrase they used "Iridum 192, not the deadly Cobalt-60...news flash Ir-192 is deadly...it just takes a bit longer to kill you further no activity level is mentioned...20 or 30 curie of Ir-192 is just as deadly as say 5 curie of Cobalt

[Koosdedooes]

'suspected to be the source of a leakage of cobalt-60, a radioactive material that is hazardous to people'

Is this sentence something that has been 'lost in translation' or is there a current ongoing investigation into a 'leak' of cobalt 60 in Bangkok?

Can anyone clarify what exactly they are saying.

Go back and read the first paragraph of the news item in post #4

[overherebc]

It is unusual that this was left on site as generally all NDT companies have strict control on these boxes. Someone will be getting their wrist slapped for this.

Thats throughout the world by the way, not just Thailand.

I like the phrase they used "Iridum 192, not the deadly Cobalt-60...news flash Ir-192 is deadly...it just takes a bit longer to kill you further no activity level is mentioned...20 or 30 curie of Ir-192 is just as deadly as say 5 curie of Cobalt

In UK for me anyway I got used to working with those at about 5 to 8. First one I picked up over here scared the willies out of me when I checked the decay chart and found it was 28 ( Iridium ) .

When I questioned it most people laughed and said it was normal.

I never really got t used to it as it was a case of wind out, count to two and wind in.

UK you could wind out and leg it a bit to get behind something.

I just kept telling myself it was better than the old BIX Pot, if anyone can remember them.

One thing I would like people in general to learn is the difference between Radiation and contamination. It's a world of difference.

Only worked once with Cobalt 60 and I was crapping myself.

[TPI]

It's an old Iridium container used in industry for sure. Very unlikely but not impossible that the 'pill' is still inside. Still got the locks and blocks on the ends.

Not active in itself just a container that looks pretty beat up. Carry handle is missing so most likely empty and no danger unless you drop it on your toes, because it is heavy.

Even if the pill is inside it's not dangerous to touch or carry, that's what it was designed for. It's used with a wind out tube mechanism to get the 'pill' in the correct position for doing Gamma radiography not x-ray radiography.

Mainly used on pipework and not too thick steel welds. Used to be standard practice to carry in your car or works van when travelling around if the vehicle is fitted with the approved safe box and appropriate stickers.

Thanks for the info!

[overherebc]

It's an old Iridium container used in industry for sure. Very unlikely but not impossible that the 'pill' is still inside. Still got the locks and blocks on the ends.

Not active in itself just a container that looks pretty beat up. Carry handle is missing so most likely empty and no danger unless you drop it on your toes, because it is heavy.

Even if the pill is inside it's not dangerous to touch or carry, that's what it was designed for. It's used with a wind out tube mechanism to get the 'pill' in the correct position for doing Gamma radiography not x-ray radiography.

Mainly used on pipework and not too thick steel welds. Used to be standard practice to carry in your car or works van when travelling around if the vehicle is fitted with the approved safe box and appropriate stickers.

Thanks for the info!

How it would have looked when new.

Compare the original and you will see it hasn't been taken apart and filled with 'bars' it's just been bashed about during long service and the end covers are still as per original.

Fairly old design, new models are much lighter and easier to carry and operate.

Much Ado -------