The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute ordered the massive steel company, SteelAsia, to take responsibility for 23 containers of radioactive material.
What’s going on?
According to the Manila Bulletin, the PNRI ordered SteelAsia to take custody of the 23 containers, which were rejected by Indonesia. The containers were contaminated with zinc dust containing radioactive cesium 137. SteelAsia said the PNRI told them to bury the containers on one of the company’s industrial lots in the town of Calaca in the industrial zone of Batangas.
The company stated that the burial of the containers is “potentially endangering the community and other corporate locators in that industrial area,” per MB.
The PNRI said the original source of the containers was SteelAsia, but the steel company said it has no connection to the containers and that “the company manufactures and exports reinforced steel bars, not zinc dust, which is simply a by-product of its production process.”
Why is this situation worrying?
SteelAsia feels that “it is being unfairly singled out by the PNRI despite the lack of any scientific or factual basis,” according to MB. The incident suggests that certain government entities are not managing radioactive waste properly.
Nuclear energy can improve energy security and mitigate the environmental impact of the energy sector. Nuclear power offers low-carbon electricity and complements renewable energy sources, making energy more accessible, stable and affordable.
However, radioactive waste is a by-product of the creation of nuclear energy. If mishandled, it endangers the health of the general public and the environment. The radiation it emits can damage the DNA of living organisms.
Specifically, exposure to cesium 137 can cause radiation burns, acute radiation sickness, and possibly death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The burial of these 23 containers could expose people to these risks. The PRNI ordering SteelAsia to bury these containers is a worrying sign of how government entities are approaching radioactive waste management.
How can we manage radioactive waste safely?
There are appropriate and safe ways to store or neutralize radioactive waste for disposal. According to the World Nuclear Association, this usually means being stored underwater for several years as it decays, before being moved to dry storage.
Burial of contaminated containers in the industrial zone of Batangas is not a safe method for radioactive waste management. SteelAsia bringing attention to this issue can encourage officials to create strict regulations on radioactive waste management. It also holds government entities accountable, rather than allowing the burden to pass to private companies.
Reporting incidents of radioactive waste mismanagement and using your voice to advocate for precautionary policies can prevent more situations like this, and create a cooler and cleaner future powered by safe nuclear power.
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