All within Limits-Radioactive Waste Disposal at IRE

Radioactive Waste Disposal at IRE V T Padmanabhan The Indian Rare Earths (IRE) Plant at Alwaye in Kerala processes thorium bearing mineral sands releasing highly radioactive waste. Environmental contamination can occur either because of the improper disposal of these wastes or because of accidental release of such material. This article which appears in two parts reports on the status of radioactive waste disposal at IRE and points out that the plant may be disregarding standard international scientific practice and so posing a grave threat to the environment and the population.