Homs, July. 17 (SANA) Specialized technical teams from the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission (SAEC) completed the safe containment and transfer of a deteriorated shielded container containing radioactive materials that was discovered on the outskirts of the Al-Waer neighborhood in Homs, affirming its commitment to international standards of radiation safety and nuclear security.
The Commission stated that no elevated radiation leakage was detected and that there was no radiological threat to public health or the environment.
According to a statement published on the Commission’s Telegram channel on Thursday, the response followed an official notification from the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management reporting the discovery of a suspicious object bearing radiation warning signs in the area.
The Commission said reported that its emergency response teams immediately deployed to the site in accordance with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) protocols for radiological emergencies and the management of orphan radioactive sources.
Working in coordination with the Syrian Civil Defense, the teams established a security perimeter and conducted radiation monitoring and dose-rate measurements around the site.
Field inspections revealed that the object was a shielded radioactive container whose outer casing had deteriorated due to environmental exposure. However, the Commission said the internal structure containing the radioactive material remained intact.
Technical measurements verified that no elevated radiation leakage had occurred and that background radiation levels in the surrounding area remained within internationally accepted safety levels.
Following the inspection, the teams isolated the container in accordance with hazardous material transport requirements before transferring it safely to the Commission’s central laboratories for comprehensive examination and regulatory handling under the applicable nuclear safety framework.
The Commission assured residents of al-Waer and nearby areas that there is no radiological threat to public health or the environment.
It also urged the public to follow safety guidance by immediately reporting any suspicious or unidentified objects to the Syrian Civil Defense and refraining from approaching, moving or tampering with them.
The Syrian Atomic Energy Commission is the government authority responsible for the peaceful uses of atomic energy and serves as the country’s regulatory body overseeing radiation protection, nuclear safety and nuclear security, including the supervision of all radiological practices across Syria.
A/Dh
