Indonesia Initiates Extensive Cesium-137 Cleanup in Cikande Industrial Zone Following Contamination Discovery

Emergency Declared in Cikande

Indonesia has commenced a significant cleanup operation in the Cikande Modern Industrial Estate, Serang, Banten Province, targeting 10 identified sources of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination. The government officially declared Cikande a 'special Cs-137 radiation emergency area' on September 30, 2025, to expedite decontamination efforts. This action follows the detection of radioactive traces in Indonesian exports, initially in frozen shrimp and later in cloves, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2025.

Source and Spread of Contamination

Investigations have primarily traced the contamination to Peter Metal Technology (PMT), a steel plant within the Cikande industrial zone that processes scrap metal. Authorities suspect PMT imported scrap metal already contaminated with Cs-137 as raw material. The radioactive substance is believed to have spread through airborne dust generated during the metal melting process, settling on various surfaces within the facility and dispersing into the surrounding environment. The incident prompted the suspension of operations at PT Bahari Makmur Sejati, a shrimp exporter in the area, and led to the re-export of contaminated scrap from Tanjung Priok Port.

Multi-Agency Cleanup and Health Response

A dedicated Cesium-137 Task Force, established on September 11, 2025, and co-led by Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan and Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, is overseeing the extensive cleanup. Decontamination efforts began around September 23, 2025, involving the collection of highly contaminated materials, including 700 kilograms of scrap metal, 20 drums, 17 jumbo bags, and three pallets of radioactive waste. These materials are being transported in lead-lined trucks to a temporary storage facility managed by PMT. Key agencies involved include the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (BAPETEN), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and police bomb squads (Gegana) ensuring security and preventing further spread.

Health officials have conducted screenings for over 1,500 individuals, including workers and local residents. Of these, nine individuals were confirmed to have internal radiation exposure through whole-body counting (WBC) scans. All nine are currently asymptomatic and are receiving treatment at Fatmawati Hospital in Jakarta, which includes the administration of Prussian blue medication to aid in expelling radioactive materials from their bodies. Special medicines were also brought in from Singapore to assist in their recovery.

Ongoing Efforts and Future Measures

The cleanup operation is expected to continue until all affected areas are certified free of radionuclide contamination. The government is also considering implementing tighter restrictions on scrap metal imports, including the mandatory use of Radiation Portal Monitoring systems, to prevent similar incidents in the future. Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq emphasized the importance of 'cross-sectoral collaboration, public participation, and transparent information' to safeguard public health and environmental safety.