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Kaohsiung port uses anti-terrorism equipment to detect radiation

ROC Central News Agency

2011/03/16 22:42:44

By Lee Hsin-Yin

Taipei, March 16 (CNA) The Port of Kaohsiung said Wednesday it is using the equipment originally designed to intercept trafficked nuclear materials to detect abnormal radiation levels of cargo from Japan.

A total of 38 radiation portal monitors (RPM) will help determine whether radiation levels of imported goods are above the normal range, the port said.

"If abnormal radioactivity is detected, we will open the containers under the directions of the Atomic Energy Council (AEC) and Kaohsiung Customs Office, " said port official Chen Jung-hsin, adding that any data collected will be sent to the port's central alarm station for further examination.

The port said that it has not found any containers with high amounts of radiation as of late Wednesday.

Kaohsiung's port acquired the RPMs from the U.S. Department of Energy's Megaports Initiative, an agreement between multiple international port agencies to prevent terrorists from smuggling dangerous materials for developing weapons of mass destruction. Kaohsiung's RPM system was completed on Feb. 22, 2011.

Meanwhile, port officials said they will hold a joint conference with the AEC and the Centers for Disease Control Thursday afternoon to discuss the possibility of setting up similar monitors at ports nationwide.

"Ports in northern Taiwan are the key terminal for Japanese produce, such as apples, " said Keelung Harbor Bureau official Hsu Chih-hui. "We hope radiation monitoring systems can be installed as soon as possible so that we can relieve the concerns of the public."