SteelAsia voluntarily suspends scrap recycling plant amid radioactivity claims

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Philippine steel company SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp. has publicly denied any connection to 23 cargo containers of zinc dust, allegedly contaminated with radioactive caesium-137, that were rejected by Indonesia.

However, the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) identified SteelAsia as a source and ordered the company to entomb the containers at its Calaca scrap recycling plant. In response, SteelAsia said it has voluntarily suspended operations at the plant out of caution.

The company denied the accusation, maintaining it neither uses nor produces radioactive material during the steelmaking process, and all purchased scrap metal is radiation-tested.

PNRI's top official Carlo Arcilla confirmed tests show radioactivity within the firm's properties. The matter is currently under investigation by a Philippine inter-agency government committee.

Courtesy: www.yieh.com