A scrap dealer and three of his workers suffered serious burns and complained of uneasiness after they were exposed to a radioactive isotope under mysterious circumstances at a scrap market in West Delhi on Thursday. The material has been covered and the entire area cordoned off to prevent further damage.
Shop owner Deepak Jain bought a scrap consignment that included a metal piece, which may have contained the radioactive material, about a week ago. The metal piece was kept inside an almirah in his shop in Mayapuri Phase-II.
On Thursday, when one of the workers, Jitender, cut the piece, a white fluid oozed out, causing instant burn injuries.
Mr. Jain also suffered burn injuries and patches on the skin when he lifted the piece. His hair started falling and his skin turned black.
Other workers also complained of nausea and vomiting as the mysterious injuries created a scare in the area.
Police said the four were taken to Apollo Hospital, from where they were shifted to the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences. Mr. Jain's condition is said to be serious.
Suspecting it to be a case of radiation exposure, the police contacted the authorities concerned. A team of nuclear radiation experts visited the spot to examine the object.
“They recorded strong radiation emission from the object, following which it was covered by the scrap as a temporary arrangement to contain the level of radiation,” a police officer said.
The police suspect that the scrap consignment containing the metal piece was brought from neighbouring Faridabad and that it originated from abroad.
