Govt targets Cs-137 decontamination completed in two weeks

Serang, Banten (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government aims to complete the decontamination process of radioactive Cesium-137 exposure in Cikande, Banten, within two weeks.

Deputy for Pollution and Environmental Damage Control at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Rasio Ridho Sani, said the swift measures are intended to protect the health and safety of affected residents.

“This is to ensure public health and safety. It also reflects our commitment to act swiftly and maintain public protection,” Sani said on Wednesday.

The government has started temporarily relocating 19 families, or 64 people, living in the red zone affected by Cesium-137 exposure.

Before relocation, residents underwent radiation screening, personal item decontamination, and medical checkups, including blood tests, at the Cikande Community Health Center.

“They will be accommodated in temporary housing prepared by the Serang District Government,” he added.

Sani explained that the decontamination effort involves a multi-agency team comprising the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten), the National Police’s Mobile Brigade Corps (KBRN) Gegana unit, the Indonesian Army’s Nubika Zeni unit, and the Environment Ministry.

“All procedures are carried out under the highest safety standards, prioritizing public safety,” he emphasized.

He added that officials used a persuasive approach to encourage residents to relocate.

In addition, the government has distributed basic food assistance to affected families to support their socio-economic conditions during the decontamination process.

As of now, 20 of the 22 industries in the Cikande area previously detected with Cesium-137 contamination have been declared clean and clear, while two others remain under decontamination.

The joint task force has also inspected around 26,000 vehicles since October 1 to ensure no new contamination is found, Sani said.

“No further Cesium-137 contamination has been detected in vehicles entering or leaving the Cikande industrial area,” he confirmed.

In August, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected several frozen shrimp shipments from Indonesia after detecting radioactive Cesium-137 contamination.

Following the incident, the Cs-137 Radionuclide Radiation Management Task Force, under the Environment Ministry, sealed off the suspected factory site in Cikande while decontamination work continues.