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The fate of 23 containers carrying radioactive zinc afloat the coast of Manila for weeks is in the hands of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
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“The ball is in DILG’s and PNRI’s court,” according to a PortCalls source from the Bureau of Customs
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Indonesian authorities rejected entry of the containers in late September after detecting traces of radioactive Caesium-137
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The containers were returned to Bulacan-based Zannwann International Trading Corp, which sources zinc dust from various steel producers for export
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In the process, PNRI tagged SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp. as the source of the radioactive material, a claim flatly rejected by the company
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DILG officials led a coordination meeting last month attended by representatives of BOC, Philippine Ports Authority, Department of Health–Bureau of Quarantine, and the PNRI to plan for the handling of the containers
The fate of 23 containers carrying radioactive zinc afloat the coast of Manila for weeks is now in the hands of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), according to a PortCalls source from the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
“The ball is in DILG’s and PNRI’s court,” the Customs official said.
According to a local news report, the BOC also currently has no radiation portal monitoring capability as its two machines are in need of repair. The United States in 2021 had donated radiation detection equipment to the BOC.
Indonesian authorities rejected entry of the containers in late September after detecting traces of radioactive Caesium-137. The containers were returned to Bulacan-based Zannwann International Trading Corp, which sources zinc dust from various steel producers for export. But in the process, PNRI tagged SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp. as the source of the radioactive material, a claim the company has flatly denied.
Whose responsible?
The DILG, under its security and anti-extremism program, holds Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) awareness and preparedness trainings. The Bureau of Fire Protection, an attached agency of the DILG, is the Philippines’ primary CBRN response agency, supported by other government and military units.
DILG officials led a coordination meeting last month attended by representatives of the BOC, Philippine Ports Authority, Department of Health–Bureau of Quarantine, and the PNRI to plan for the handling of the containers.
PNRI director Carlo Arcilla had told French wire news agency AFP that while the radiation levels detected were not serious, immediate and proper disposal of the containers exported by Zannwann International Trading Corp. will have to be undertaken.
SteelAsia, the country’s largest manufacturer of steel products, in a statement on October 26, rejected PNRI’s conclusion and categorically denied involvement saying, “this is not our shipment.”
“PNRI, without following international nuclear safety protocols or conducting the required scientific tests, tagged SteelAsia as the source of the alleged radioactive materials while clearing Zannwann of responsibility,” SteelAsia said.
“Zannwann, based on information from PNRI itself, also purchased zinc dust from other steel companies, including Cathay Pacific Steel and Real Steel yet only SteelAsia is being unfairly singled out by PNRI despite the absence of any scientific or factual basis,” it said.
The company stressed “steel manufacturing does not use and therefore does not produce radioactive materials. The company manufactures and exports reinforced steel bars, not zinc dust, which is merely a by-product of its production process.”
SteelAsia said it is taking legal steps to protect its interests, noting that the closure of its scrap recycling plant will cause “irreparable harm to the entire Calaca industrial zone, resulting in economic dislocation, the loss of thousands of jobs, and the stunting of Calaca’s progress.”
The company added it is open to engaging international experts to help address the situation, particularly Japan, which has extensive experience in managing radiation.
PNRI’s Arcilla said SteelAsia should be responsible for the disposal as it is supposedly Zannwann’s source of the radioactive materials.
SteelAsia pointed out it has no technical capability, facilities, or training to handle radioactive waste. “Only PNRI is legally mandated to perform this function under Philippine law,” it said.
Nevertheless, SteelAsia temporarily suspended operations at its scrap recycling plant following an order from the DILG based on what the company called PNRI’s “illegal, baseless, and unscientific actions.”
