Japanese Scrap Dealers urged to carry out stricter radiation checks

TOKYO (Scrap Monster): Following the detection of radiation quantity exceeding permissible limits at the South Korean port of Pusan, the Japan Iron and Steel Recycling Institute (JISRI) has requested all ferrous scrap dealers in the country to tighten radiation checks of export cargoes.

In a notice issued on 22^nd August, the Institute urged all dealers to ensure that no contaminated material is mixed with ferrous scrap exported out of the country. Earlier, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry had instructed JISRI to take all necessary actions to ensure that such actions are nor repeated in future.

A small portion of nearly 20 kilograms out of the total cargo of nearly 2,000 tons of No 2 HMS cargo from Japan was intercepted at Pusan port for detecting Cesium 137 with 18 times higher radiation quantity than the permissible levels as per South Korean regulations. Sources indicate that the shipment is kept in an isolated place in the steel company’s warehouse to which it was shipped, but will be returned to the country of origin for violating the radiation rules.

Meanwhile JISRI urged all its members to initiate strict measures that would ensure radiation-free ferrous scrap cargoes. The members should compulsorily perform gate-type radiation at each yard before delivered to the designated wharf. Radiation checks may also be performed at the port of shipment. In addition the dealers should also attach a nonradioactive certificate from a third organization to each cargo. The Institute urged all ferrous scrap dealers to collect and save all the inspection reports.