India Gifts Prussian Blue Capsules to Indonesia to Counter Cesium-137 Contamination

India has gifted critical Prussian Blue Capsules to Indonesia to help mitigate the effects of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination.
The consignment was sent following a request from the Ministry of Health of Indonesia, and the Embassy of India in Jakarta swiftly mobilized the urgently required capsules to support Indonesia’s radiological emergency response efforts.

Purpose and Function of Prussian Blue

Prussian Blue is a medical countermeasure used to treat contamination involving radioactive cesium and thallium.

• The capsules trap radioactive cesium and thallium in the intestines, preventing their absorption by the body.
• These radioactive substances are then excreted naturally through bowel movements, thereby reducing internal radiation exposure.
• By shortening the time radioactive materials stay in the body, Prussian Blue limits radiation-induced damage.

Cesium-137: A Hazardous Byproduct

Cesium-137 is a radioactive isotope produced through nuclear fission, commonly used in:

• Medical radiation therapy (for cancer treatment)
• Medical and industrial sterilization
• Industrial gauges (to measure flow, density, and thickness of materials like paper, metal, or film)

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), long-term exposure to even low doses of Cesium-137 is associated with an increased risk of cancer.

Indonesia’s Contamination Investigation

Indonesian authorities have detected traces of Cesium-137 radioactivity at a clove farm on Sumatra island.
The discovery prompted an expanded investigation after the USFDA reported contamination of Indonesian spices and frozen seafood.

• The FDA recently detected Cesium-137 in cloves from PT Natural Java Spice.
• Earlier, in August 2025, the isotope was found in a sample of frozen shrimp from Indonesia.

(Sources: AIR, CDC & CBS)