How Far Along is the Task Force on Cikande's Cs-137 Decontamination?

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Cesium-137 (Cs-137) Radiation Hazard Management Task Force is accelerating the decontamination of radioactive material around the Cikande Modern Industrial Estate, Serang Regency. The Serang Regency Government previously relocated 27 families from the exposure zone to two sites in Sukatani Village, while ensuring the provision of basic services.Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, the Environment Minister who heads the task force, stated that officers are inspecting each home to guarantee complete decontamination. "Coordination for retrieving or salvaging personal items such as mattresses or clothing will be managed by the local regency government," he said in an official statement on Sunday, November 2, 2025.According to Hanif, the task force's responsibilities include establishing and securing the zone, accelerating technical decontamination, supporting resident relocation and logistics, and communicating risks to the public. Daily radiation dose monitoring is also being conducted to ensure all activities are carried out safely, promptly, and transparently.Currently, seven of the 12 exposure points outside the industrial area are undergoing decontamination. Five exposed areas will be technically sealed through casting and cementing, as directed by the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten). This action is necessary due to the presence of residual material, even though the current dose is below 2.5 microsieverts.Regarding security measures, the government has installed zinc fences around areas with a material volume of approximately 10,000 as a temporary measure.Hanif clarified the protocol: "For areas that cannot be removed due to being too deep, they will be cemented according to Bapeten's recommendations. Meanwhile, locations with a material volume of 10,000 cubic meters will be temporarily fenced with zinc."Hanif ensured that all task force officers were strictly adhering to radiation safety standards and cross-agency protocols. He urged local residents to continue coordinating with Serang Regency officials if they need to access personal belongings during the relocation."We hope the decontamination and recovery phase in this village will be completed in two to three weeks, God willing. Please remain patient and continue coordinating with officers," Hanif concluded.Editor’s Choice: Indonesia Moves 426 Tons of Cesium-137 Waste to Temporary Storage SiteClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News