Department of Atomic Energy
Unidentified material confiscated at Kolkata is not Californium, confirms DAE
Posted On: 03 SEP 2021 6:38PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 3 September 2021
There was a TV news report about confiscation of an unidentified material in Kolkata on August 25, 2021, by CID, West Bengal Police. It was reported that the material, weighing about 250 gm, is suspected to be the radioactive element Californium.
After inspection and relevant laboratory analyses of the material, the Department of Atomic Energy clarifies that the material is not Californium. It is also confirmed that the material is of natural origin and is not radioactive.
This has been stated in a press release issued by Dr. RK Vatsa, Outstanding Scientist and Head of Public Awareness Division in the Department of Atomic Energy today.
Californium is a chemical element with symbol Cf and atomic number 98. Classified as an actinide, californium is a solid at room temperature.
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DAE – DJM/SC/DR
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