Civilian nuclear facilities in Sichuan confirmed safe
The Chinese government has identified 32 radioactive sources in the earthquake-devastated Sichuan area - hospitals, research centers, factories, but no power plants; 30 sources have already been located and removed; the two remaining sources have been cordoned off and are being excavated
Now there are also radiation leaks and contamination which must be added to the list of worries following China’s massive earthquake last week. There were 32 radioactive sources buried during the quake, according to state news agency Xinhua. China’s government says, however, that thirty have been recovered, and the remaining two are located, cordoned off, and being excavated. The majority of radioactive sources are likely to be hospitals, factories, and research labs. AP reports, though, that the headquarters for the country’s nuclear weapons design facility is in Mianyang and there is a plutonium processing facility in Guangyuan. Both cities suffered damage from the quake. Good news is there are no nuclear power plants in the affected region.
The authorities have already limited access to the area where the two remaining radioactive sources are located. So far, the death toll in the Sichuan province has reached 34,073, with another 245,108 people injured.
