AMU seeks help against radioactive source

ALIGARH - The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has asked the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to take measures for securing the campus and its vicinity against a radioactive source lying locked in its physics department for several decades, an official said Monday.

“Experts of the AERB’s safety division would soon visit the campus to survey and screen all the radioactive sources that are stored in the university or being used for treatment and research purposes,” AMU spokesman Rahat Abrar told reporters.

According to university officials, the radioactive source is probably radium or beryllium and was brought in the varsity in the 1940s.

“S.A. Husain of the radioactive safety division has assured us that since the radioactive source is stored in a closed room, the chances of any leakage were almost non-existent and therefore the university community and the citizens of Aligarh should not panic,” Abrar added.

According to officials, vice-chancellor Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis has ordered setting up of a committee to look into the present status pertaining to the procurement, storage, utilisation and disposal of radioactive and other hazardous material/chemicals in various departments of the university, as required by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The eight-member committee would submit its report to the vice-chancellor within three days.

According to officials, on number of occasions in the past also, the varsity has sought assistance from the AERB.