Port Chester sanitation truck detained after radiation detected, officials say
Officials say the contamination was found at a regional waste transfer facility, where radiation detection equipment identified radioactive material inside the truck.
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A sanitation vehicle in the Village of Port Chester was detained after radiation was detected during a waste drop-off, according to local and Westchester County officials.
Officials say the contamination was found at a regional waste transfer facility, where radiation detection equipment identified radioactive material inside the truck.
When this happens, the vehicle is held until radiation levels decay to an acceptable range. It's a process that can take days, or even weeks.
The village says the incident may impact homes near Shelley, Robert and Hawley avenues.
According to county officials, the material involved residential waste. They noted that people undergoing cancer treatment or certain nuclear medicine procedures can generate waste that contain detectable levels of radioactivity.
Residents in those situations are advice to consult with their doctor about proper disposal methods before thwy place items in the trash.
Village officials say sanitation crews cannot collect radioactive material.
The county says there is not threat to public health or safety.
