Shenyang, an industrial base in northeastern China's Liaoning Province, has vowed to protect its citizens and environment from excess radiation by tightening controls over the use of radioactive isotopes.
According to new regulations set jointly by local environmental protection, public security and health authorities, all radioactive isotope users in the city should report their storage, use and disposal on a monthly basis.
The report, which should also include the names, quantity and physical status of the substance, should be submitted to the local environmental protection authority before the 25th day of each month, say sources with the Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau.
At the same time, the municipal government will safeguard personal safety during the transportation, storage and operation processes and ensure proper disposal of radioactive isotope waste to avoid possible harm.
Official figures suggest that 63 organizations in the city, mostly hospitals and research institutions, are using 18 kinds of radioactive isotopes.
Exposure could cause diarrhea, loss of hair and white blood cells and chromosome abnormalities, said Zhang Fujiang, a senior engineer with Shenyang Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau.
(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2003)
