NEHU expert team says radiation at source well within safety levels

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 28, 2021

The report of the NEHU Expert Committee has revealed that the radiation levels at the source (i.e tanks and pits) and villages/habitations nearby as per the millisievert/year unit of measurement using the Radiation Survey Meter are well within the safety levels.

A government statement on Thursday said connection with the alleged incident of radiation hazard at Nongbah Jynrin, Wahkaji, South West Khasi Hills District, it had requested the North Eastern Hills University (NEHU) to assist the state government by way of a third party investigation, to ascertain the factual position regarding the radiation levels and whether there is any health hazard in the area.

A six member team under the Chairmanship of Prof B Myrboh, Department of Chemistry, NEHU visited the site on November 10, 2020.

The report of the NEHU Expert Committee was received by the government on December 17, 2020.

An interactive session on the report was held on 20.1.2021 under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya.

“The report of the NEHU Expert Committee reveals that the radiation levels at the source (i.e. tanks and pits) and villages/habitations nearby as per the millisievert/year unit of measurement using the Radiation Survey Meter are well within the safety levels,” the statement said.

“Further, the Committee found that 100ft. away from the source in the rivulet Phud Syngkai, the levels of radiation are higher than at the source which requires further study,” it said.

In view of this, the statement said, “It is therefore, decided that the Government of Meghalaya will undertake a separate study on the rocks and sediments of the stream Phud Syngkai and get them analysed at a credible laboratory to determine the exact cause of the radiation.”