Chinese National Named Suspect in Indonesia Cesium-137 Contamination Case
Jakarta. Indonesian police have named a Chinese national, Lin Jingzhang, as a suspect in a radioactive contamination case involving Cesium-137 at a metal-waste smelting facility in Cikande, Banten Province.
Lin is the director of Metal Peter Technology, a company that processes scrap metal. Authorities suspect that waste material handled at the facility contained Cesium-137, leading to environmental contamination and affecting Indonesian shrimp exports to the United States, where inspectors detected the radioactive substance. The findings prompted widespread decontamination efforts at the plant and nearby residential areas.
“Police have designated Lin Jingzhang as a suspect,” said Bara Krishna Hasibuan, spokesperson for the Cesium-137 Radionuclide Hazard Task Force, on Thursday. Bara added that immigration authorities have issued a travel ban against Lin.
According to Bara, the criminal status was determined after police collected evidence from the smelting facility. Investigators from the National Police and the Ministry of Environment found hazardous industrial waste stored inside the factory without proper management or handover to licensed third-party processors.
Lin briefly returned to China during the investigation but later agreed to return to Indonesia for questioning, Bara confirmed.
He said Lin is accused of violating Indonesia’s Environmental Protection and Management Law by unlawfully acquiring scrap metal containing Cesium-137 and failing to store or manage the contaminated material according to regulations.
What Is Cesium-137 and Why Is It Dangerous?
Cesium-137 (Cs-137) is a radioactive isotope commonly produced as a by-product of nuclear reactors and atomic weapons tests. It does not occur naturally.
Why it’s hazardous:
- Emits gamma radiation that can penetrate human tissue.
- Exposure may increase risks of cancer, burns, and organ damage.
- Contaminated particles can spread easily through soil, air, water, and food chains.
Common uses:
- Industrial gauges and measuring devices
- Medical radiation therapy
- Research applications
Environmental concerns:
If improperly stored or disposed of, Cs-137 can contaminate industrial waste, soil, and exported products. Because it has a long half-life of about 30 years, contamination remains dangerous for decades, requiring strict regulatory handling and cleanup.
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