"COBALTO 60" el Chernóbyl Mexicano (Documental Subtitulado)

Key Concepts:

• Cobalt-60 contamination
• Radioactive isotopes
• Radiation exposure and health effects
• Nuclear accidents and safety
• Corruption and negligence
• Radioactive waste disposal

Cobalt-60 Catastrophe in Ciudad Juárez

In November 1977, a private hospital in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, the Specialty Medical Center, purchased a cobalt-60 radiotherapy unit from the United States for $16,000. The hospital intended to attract patients seeking cheaper cancer treatment than available in the U.S. Due to permit issues, the hospital smuggled the unit into Mexico and stored it in a warehouse for six years, as they lacked expertise to operate it and wanted to avoid detection by health authorities. Cobalt-60, a synthetic radioactive isotope emitting gamma rays, is highly toxic and dangerous upon prolonged exposure. No warning signs were placed near the device.

Dismantling and Initial Contamination

On December 6, 1983, Vicente Sotelo, an administrative employee, and Ricardo Hernández, a fellow worker, were instructed by the head of maintenance, Arturo Guerrero, to dismantle the radiotherapy machine. They used hammers to break open the head containing 100 kg of cobalt-60, releasing approximately 6,010 1x2mm cylinders with a combined radioactive force of 1003 Ci (Curie). A dose of only 1 Ci is enough to cause damage to the human body. Sotelo and Hernández observed the cylinders glowing blue and experienced a metallic taste, as well as heat, but continued their work. They loaded the scrap into a white Datsun truck owned by the hospital to sell it to "Yonke Fénix" (a junkyard). During transport, the cylinder broke, dispersing cobalt-60 granules within the vehicle, irradiating it permanently. Sotelo suffered second-degree burns and symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. They were paid 1,500 pesos for the scrap.

Widespread Contamination

The radioactive Datsun truck broke down near the Rio Grande for two days, contaminating the surrounding area. It was then parked in front of Sotelo's house in the Bellavista neighborhood, becoming a play area for children and a gathering spot for adults. At Yonke Fénix, magnets were used to handle the scrap metal, further spreading the contamination to approximately 6,000 tons of material. This contaminated scrap was sold to two foundries: "Aceros de Chihuahua sa de cv" (Achisa), a construction rod factory, and "Falcon de Juárez sa," a manufacturer of table supports. Contaminated material was also sent to "Fundibal de Gómez Palacio" in Durango, "Alumetales de Monterrey" in Nuevo León, and "Dura Acero" in San Luis Potosí. An estimated 30,000 table bases and 6,600 tons of construction rod were produced with the contaminated material and distributed to over half of Mexico's states, as well as exported to the United States. The total contaminated material was estimated to be 20,000 tons.

Detection and Initial Response

On January 16, 1984, a truck carrying irradiated rod from Achisa to the United States triggered radioactivity detectors at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. The truck did not enter Los Alamos. On January 18, the Nuclear investigation and Safeguards of Mexico ordered Achisa to suspend distribution of its rod. On January 26, the abandoned Datsun truck was found with radiation levels up to 1000 röntgens per hour, exceeding the radiation exposure of Chernobyl workers who died within a month. The truck was towed to "el Chamizal" park, a popular family area, and cordoned off with minimal security. Vicente Sotelo was identified as the owner. Neighbors near the vehicle were estimated to have been irradiated with 10 times more radiation than the Three Mile Island incident in 1979.

Investigation and Aftermath

Authorities investigated the hospital but found no evidence of the illegal purchase. Vicente Sotelo and his neighbors underwent blood tests, revealing burns on Sotelo's feet. Approximately 450 affected neighbors were monitored, but many stopped attending due to the lack of comprehensive care and the cost of medication. Sotelo, surprisingly, did not suffer severe long-term health effects. The United States provided the invoice for the therapy machine to Mexican authorities, leading to the closure of Yonke Fénix. 90% of the radioactive material exported to the United States was returned to Ciudad Juárez, resulting in 5,000 tons of radioactive material being stored in the open air behind the city's cherry tree. 180 Achisa workers, with minimal protection, were forced to collect the radioactive soil. Officials from the Ministry of Health, lacking expertise, were used to detect radiation in contaminated buildings.

Waste Disposal and Long-Term Effects

After 9 months, Chihuahua alone had 20,000 tons of radioactive waste stored near inhabited areas. The waste was eventually buried in El Vergel in the dunes of Salamayuca, a source of water for Ciudad Juárez, without adequate precautions. Another portion of the rod was buried in the state of Hidalgo. Short-term effects included temporary sterility, internal burns, and nervous system alterations. Long-term exposure can cause leukemia, anemia, cancer, severe venular damage, bone cancer, and hereditary genetic disorders, as explained by UNAM researcher Cruz Zaragoza. Many individuals suffered long-term health consequences from living in contaminated homes or near poorly buried waste.

Conclusion:

The Cobalt-60 catastrophe in Ciudad Juárez was a preventable disaster caused by a combination of corruption, negligence, and ignorance. The incident resulted in widespread contamination, long-term health effects, and inadequate waste disposal. The story highlights the dangers of mishandling radioactive materials and the importance of proper regulations and oversight.