nuclear-news

Dramatic effects of radiation exposure shown in India

In all the affected persons, the platelet count and TLC count have shown a sharp drop. Jain’s bone marrow is significantly suppressed and his condition is quite serious.

Hospital sounded radiation alarm on Apr 5,  The Times of India, Apr 10, 2010, NEW DELHI: Scientists from various government institutions, including Bhaba Atomic Research Centre, visited the area in Mayapuri where radiation exposure was reported on Thursday. After scanning the entire area, they lifted eight batches of the object — some from the godown of the scrap dealer — which were sealed in a lead flask and taken to Narora Atomic Research Centre at Bulandshahr for a detailed examination. By the end of the day, the cordons were removed and the area declared safe. Only two affected shops and a godown have been sealed.
The scrap dealer, Deepak Jain (32) and his employees — Ram Ji Yadav, Ram Kalk Yadav, Gaurav and Rajender Prasad — were exposed to the radioactive substance. Jain had brought the scrap from Faridabad, through Prasad, on March 12 and it was the latter who first tried to cut open the waste. This led to withering away of his nails.

Alarmed at this, Jain promptly put the material inside an almirah in his shop. Jain first noticed his own deteriorating state of health on March 25 when he started having headaches and, what was even more alarming, his hair started falling. Gradually, his skin also started showing signs of decay.

He first consulted doctors at Uttam Nagar, but when his skin started turning black, he was admitted at Apollo Hospital on April 4. The radiation safety officer at Apollo informed Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) the next day and two officials promptly went to Khajan Basti at the Mayapuri scrap market.

In all the affected persons, the platelet count and TLC count have shown a sharp drop. Jain’s bone marrow is significantly suppressed and his condition is quite serious. The condition of the four labourers has also been deteriorating since Friday afternoon and they have been shifted from DDU Hospital to AIIMS. Another trader, Himanshu Jain, is already admitted at AIIMS. …..
There are around 2500 scrap shops in the market. Shop owners and workers at the scrap market downed shutters as panic spread in the area on Thursday night when a police team cordoned off the area.

Hospital sounded radiation alarm on Apr 5 – Delhi – City – The Times of India

April 20, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | health, India | antinuclear, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive