Ecobiz.asia — Indonesia’s Cesium-137 Task Force has completed decontamination work at 22 factories in the Cikande industrial area, Serang Regency, removing more than 550 tonnes of radioactive-contaminated material.
The clean-up, led by the Environment Pollution and Degradation Control Deputy Rasio Ridho Sani, aims to contain radioactive contamination from Cesium-137 and protect workers and nearby communities.
Factories cleared of contamination are now permitted to resume operations under supervision from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten).
“To protect public health and safety, decontamination outside the factories, particularly in the Red Zone including residential areas, scrapyards, and vacant land, is being carried out intensively,” he said, Wednesday (Oct 30, 2025).
The contamination in Cikande’s Red Zone stemmed from the use of metal smelting waste, or slag, that contained radioactive material used as landfill. Of 12 identified locations, five have been cleared while seven remain under active decontamination.
The operation, supported by the Indonesian Army’s Nubika Zeni unit and the Police’s Gegana bomb squad, has so far removed 275.87 cubic meters or about 558.8 tonnes of contaminated soil and material. All procedures follow strict radiation safety protocols overseen by BRIN and Bapeten radiation protection officers.
In addition to site decontamination, more than 36,000 vehicles have been screened using Radiation Portal Monitors. No Cesium-137 traces have been detected since October 17, suggesting a significant drop in airborne radioactive spread across Cikande, Rasio said.
“This progress reflects the government’s commitment and seriousness in handling Cesium-137 contamination,” he said, expressing appreciation for public cooperation during the clean-up. ***
