New Delhi: The origin of radioactive Cobalt-60 found in west Delhi's Mayapuri, which led to the death of one person, has been traced to Delhi University's Chemistry Department where it was lying unused since the last 25 years.
The Cobalt-60 was in a "Gamma Irradiator", which was bought in 1968 from Canada and was not in use since 1985, police said on Wednesdayadding it was bought by scrap dealers in Mayapuri through an auction in February this year.
"We have traced the radioactive material to Delhi University's Chemistry Department. One of the equipment the scrap dealers bought was Gamma Irradiator," Joint Commissioner of Police (Southern Range) Ajay Kashyap told PTI.
The scrap dealers dismantled the equipment and in the process, the lead covering on it was pealed off leading to radiation exposure, Kashyap said.
"The equipment was in use till 1985 and after that it was lying in a room unused."
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