A leak of "low radioactive sodium iodide liquid" led to panic at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) here early Friday morning.
An official statement from the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said: "A medical consignment of material suspected to be of radioactive nature was reported at the cargo terminal of Delhi Airport this morning. The area has been cordoned off and as per the preliminary assessment given by the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research the material has been termed as that of low radioactivity-sodium iodide liquid class 7 meant for medicinal use."
DIAL also said that a team from the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Bhaba Atomic Research Centre and the National Disaster Management Force were at the site making arrangements for the removal of the material.
An CISF officer who was on duty when the 'leak' was detected, told IANS that the consignment reached the IGI airport from Istanbul in Turkish Airlines flight number TK 716 around 4.35 a.m.
"As it was being moved to a secure place from where it had to be sent to Fortis Hospital, a leak was noticed in four of the ten packets," the officer said.
Fortis Hospital did not answer repeated calls on the issue.
According to medical science, sodium iodide is used to treat or prevent iodine deficiency caused by poor nutrition or poor absorption by the body. It may also be used to treat a thyroid disorder.
Two airport workers who were handling the cargo reportedly suffered irritation of the skin.
However, they were not sent to any hospital and were given first aid at the airport.
