GOI FINDS NEUTRON SOURCE IN MUMBAI CONTAINER

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 008537

SIPDIS

PASS TO NRC, DOE U/S AOKI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/11/2015
TAGS: ENRG ETRD KNNP PREL IN IAEA
SUBJECT: GOI FINDS NEUTRON SOURCE IN MUMBAI CONTAINER

REF: A. NEW DELHI 8343

B. STATE 195417

C. STATE 193535

Classified By: DCM Bob Blake for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)


1. (C) MEA Director (Americas) gave PolCouns a note on
October 7 detailing further radiation measurements that the
GOI's Atomic Energy Regulatory Board carried out on the
suspect shipping container following USG requests for
additional scrutiny (reftels). According to the note, after
negative results from initial scans, an investigation of the
contents of the container discovered a 30 milliCurie strength
americium-beryllium neutron source emitting 7.2 x 10E4
neutrons/sec. MEA provided no further information on the
origin of the source.


2. (C) The text of the note follows:

On 17th October 2005, gamma scanning of a suspected container
was carried out at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust by
officials of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. No
detectable radiation field was observed.

On 19th October 2005, a repeat check of the container was
done for gamma and neutron fields. The container was
destuffed and its contents were scanned as heaped material.
The empty container was also checked from inside. No gamma
or neutron field was detected.

Taking into account the alarm at the portal monitors in
Colombo port, it was felt that a further scanning that was
more intrusive in respect of contents of the container was
justified. Accordingly, another exercise was undertaken
where all items of scrap from the container were spread out
on the ground for a thorough check. Similar measures were
taken in respect of another container that came to JNPT along
with the suspect container.

This check, carried out between 31 October and 2 November
2005 located a small cylindrical neutron source of 2 cm
length and 1.5 cm diameter. It was emitting a gamma dose
rate of 30 uR/h (microRoentgen/hour) and neutron does rate of
0.2 mRem/h at 1 metre distance. The source was confirmed to
be an americium-beryllium neutron source of 30 mCi strength
with a neutron yield of 7.2 x 10 to the 4th power n/sec
( 10%). The source has been sent for safe disposal.


3. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website:
(http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/)
MULFORD