Review of the Incident: A week has passed since the radioactive source, Iridium-192, went missing in Nanjing. Although it has now been recovered and no harm was done to people, the Ministry of Environmental Protection still classified the event as a major radiation accident. Radiation can be extremely dangerous, with potential impacts that extend beyond immediate exposure, making such incidents highly concerning.
On-site Response: Wearing Protective Gear to Search
The incident drew immediate attention from relevant authorities and officials. Zhou Qizheng, Deputy Chief Engineer at the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, explained that once a radioactive source is lost, the first priority is to ensure its safety. Using specialized instruments, the affected area was narrowed down to a grassy patch of approximately 2 square meters. The source, which was small—about 8 mm in diameter and 15 cm long—was described as resembling a necklace. Due to the risk of prolonged exposure, strict protective measures were put in place during the search.
Fang Guiping, Deputy Director of the Nanjing Environmental Protection Bureau, revealed that on the afternoon of the 10th, the on-site command employed a "human wave" strategy. Each worker wore protective gear and searched for only 2–3 minutes before being replaced by another to minimize radiation exposure. After four rounds of professional personnel entering the restricted area, the tenth team successfully located the missing source and placed it into a lead container for safe recycling.
How Dangerous Is Iridium-192?
According to international standards, China categorizes radioactive sources into five risk levels—high, medium, low, and extremely low—based on factors such as type, energy, and radioactivity. Zhou Qichen noted that the Iridium-192 involved in this incident was newly purchased five months ago and was used for industrial inspections. Based on its current activity level, the environmental protection department classified it as a high-risk source.
"The loss of a radioactive source increases the risk significantly," he said. Professor Guo Qiuju from Peking University’s Department of Technical Physics explained that Iridium-192 must be stored in lead containers or other shielded environments. "If handled properly under normal conditions, it should not pose a threat." However, direct contact with the source could result in serious health effects, including skin burns or even amputation in extreme cases. Prolonged exposure could also be fatal.
China Labor Insurance Network Editor's Encyclopedia:
What is Protective Clothing?
In everyday life, the radiation from electronic devices typically does not harm most individuals. However, some groups, such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, and patients, are more sensitive to electromagnetic radiation. For example, prolonged computer use by pregnant women may affect fetal development. As a result, many expectant mothers choose to wear protective vests, aprons, and covers made from electromagnetic shielding fabrics to reduce their exposure.
Protective clothing is designed to guard against physical, chemical, and biological hazards. It includes various types such as fire-resistant suits, industrial workwear, medical gowns, military uniforms, and specialized attire for vulnerable populations.
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