Leakage of radioactive elements SHILLONG: The current controversy about leakage of radioactive wastes from Delhi University which claimed one life and has affected many should make all other universities using radioactive matter for experiments to sit up and take notice. According to scientists in the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) the disposal of radioactive wastes from life science laboratories need careful monitoring of the surrounding streams and soil. NEHU sources informed that radioactive sources mainly neutron sources were bought by the Physics Department of NEHU twenty years ago from abroad and kept at the Bijni Complex of the University at Laitumkhrah. The aim was to do useful experiments by a nuclear experimentalist. But he resigned and left the University for obscure reasons. After that no new appointments had been made in nuclear experimentation. Around 2004, efforts were on to revive the field when some faculty of the Physics Department suggested that the neutron source should be transported to the permanent campus. But this effort was aborted because a majority of the faculty felt that carrying out experiments was a waste of time. Sources claim that this lethargy for carrying out experiments has created an imbalance in the ratio of experiment to theory. As a result the neutron sources continue to remain unutilized at Bijni. Even though enough shielding was done but the building, particularly the walls are not according to the specifications from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). Scientists point out that Meghalaya being an earthquake prone area, any calamity would lead above all to radiation leakage which the State might not be in a position to deal with. NEHU sources claim that pursuing experiments with neutron sources has many uses, one of which is to analyze medicinal herbs to assess the presence of impurities. At present this is being carried out at Pune University although Meghalaya and the Northeast are home to thousands of species of medicinal herbs. Crystallography or the method which enables scientists to understand how life works at the molecular level, and leads medicinal chemists to discover new drugs to treat diseases is another experiment that uses neutron sources. When asked if there is any way out of this problem they said the NEHU authorities could write to the experts at BARC to transfer the sources back to BARC itself or safely dispose off the material. Alternatively, NEHU could appoint, at least for a certain period, some experimentalists to transfer and set up the neutron activation lab at the Permanent Campus NEHU. They have also suggested that some faculty members/ research scholars could be deputed for training at BARC so that the neutron sources are made use of for the benefit of the region. In that case scientists from BARC could come here to advice about the safety procedures for housing the neutron sources. It may be mentioned that India's atomic energy regulator the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is currently investigating the claims that Delhi University buried radioactive material on its campus 20 years ago. Delhi police have blamed the University for dumping an irradiation machine containing radioactive Cobalt-60 which ended up in a scrap yard in New Delhi, where it killed a 35-year-old worker and put seven others in hospital. This should serve as an eye opener for NEHU. It is learnt that the UN atomic watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is seeking more information about this leakage of radioactive wastes into a crowded area Delhi.