However, airport sources said that the subject which was considered to be a radioactive element, in reality was a chemical known as ‘Vinyl <g data-gr-id="49">Pyroled</g>,’ which was kept beside the medicine that was being imported for a Najafgarh-based firm. The sources further added that it could be either due to leakage or a packaging problem.
The suspected radioactive material leak was observed after a consignment which included liquid sodium iodide and sodium molybdate that arrived from Istanbul by Turkish Airlines flight TK-716 at 4:32 am on Friday. The staff which handled it felt that packaging was damaged and something was found leaking from three of total 10 containers/packets.
After witnessing that, it raised an alarm regarding the packet with a label ‘Radio Active Material Type A Package’ and informed the authorities.
“Leakage was observed at 8:59 am. Later, at 9 am District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) was informed about the incident. At 9.31 am Delhi Fire Service was called in. At 9.59 am, a PCR call was made. Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Atomic Mineral department for Exploration & Research reached the airport for containment and disposal of the radioactive material after 10 am,” said a source.
“Another team was rushed to the airport by using the Express Metro Service,” he added.
“The fault was in the packing and the involved parties need to be questioned,” said a senior airport official.
The official further added that such leakage and packing can be hazardous for aircraft. I am surprised that it took hours to clear it and establish that it was not a radioactive material. We still need to do a lot to secure our airports and aircraft,” said the official.