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A significant manufacturing complex located on the outskirts of Jakarta is addressing radioactive contamination following a government taskforce found traces of the dangerous element Caesium-137 at twenty-two production plants within the site, which encompasses businesses that export frozen seafood.

Urgent Measures and Goods Recall

The finding has triggered emergency cleanup operations and the moving of local inhabitants, coming after a similar pollution scare in the United States that was linked to the Indonesian plants.

A major multinational retailer is one of the businesses that have withdrawn items from its stores following the discovery.

Probe and Discovery of Contamination

Indonesian officials initiated an inquiry when the American FDA identified Caesium-137, a radioactive isotope, in a shipment of chilled coated prawns sent by an Indonesian firm.

Officials released an warning instructing suppliers and sellers to discard the goods and avoid selling it, even though the detected amount was far below the agency's action limit. They noted that the quantity of Caesium-137 they had detected would not present an immediate risk to consumers.

The FDA explained: “The primary health effect of concern following extended, ongoing low dose exposure (eg through consumption of contaminated food or water over time) is an elevated risk of the disease, resulting from damage to DNA within body cells.”

Widespread Contamination and Medical Checks

Radioactivity tests showed at least twenty-two plants in the manufacturing zone were affected. The Indonesian team did not name the 21 other manufacturing sites, but confirmed they would immediately receive decontamination procedures carried out by Indonesia's nuclear agency.

A senior official stated that people residing in highly polluted zones would be relocated until the location was decontaminated, emphasizing that the well-being of the inhabitants was the “main concern”.

Health authorities also conducted checks on nearby employees and residents living close to the industrial zone, identifying 9 people who tested positive for exposure to Caesium-137. They were referred to a hospital before being cleared to go back.

Cleanup and Containment Measures

The contaminated locations will immediately undergo decontamination operations by the national nuclear agency. Officials have also designated the site of a scrap metal factory as an containment facility for contaminated goods.

The country, which has no nuclear energy facilities or arms program, suspects that Caesium-137 may have entered the nation from abroad.

Origin of Contamination and Import Limits

An official spokesperson told reporters that recycled metal shipments were the probable cause of contamination and announced the authorities would promptly enforce restrictions on scrap metal arrivals. It was stated that transport were also being inspected for possible exposure as they moved through the area.

Regarding Caesium-137 and Health Risks

Caesium-137 is a dangerous radioactive element that usually appears in the ecosystem as a result of atomic testing or incidents, like Fukushima or Chernobyl. Trace quantities are present in soil, food and air.

The level found in the chilled prawns was far lower than FDA action limits, but the authority stated prolonged contact to including low doses of caesium was associated to an elevated risk of cancer.

Recall Details

The recalled shrimp was available at major store locations across at least a 12 US states, such as Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia.