On September 1, a large group of villagers gathered at the Guangzhou High-Energy Technology Park in Zhongluotan Town, protesting against the authorities’ construction of a cobalt-60 irradiation plant near residential areas, which they believe would impact residents’ health.
Recently, a netizen revealed that a certain project in Baiyun, Guangzhou, planned to build an irradiation plant, causing panic among nearby residents.
Videos posted by the WeChat video account “州仔6718” showed on September 1, many villagers gathered in front of the entrance of the Guangzhou High-Energy Technology Park holding up white papers, chanting slogans, protesting the construction of the cobalt-60 irradiation plant near residential areas.
According to a report by Guangdong TV, the Guangzhou High-Energy Technology Park project is located in the Meili Health Industry Park in Baiyun District, with a total area of about 20,000 square meters and a total construction area of about 85,500 square meters. The project, which had its groundbreaking ceremony on June 24, aims to become a national benchmark irradiation technology application industrial park, introducing the world’s most advanced irradiation production lines to provide sterilization for food, drugs, and cosmetics.
Information provided by residents regarding the project’s survey and design tasks showed that the project’s construction includes an irradiation plant that encompasses a 2000-square-meter double-layer concrete ice wall fortress, introducing three radiation production lines equipped with high-energy electron accelerators and cobalt-60.
There are three real estate properties within a one-kilometer radius of the radiation station, with educational land located only 500 meters away.
Although the project has been approved by the authorities in the Baiyun District, nearby residents claim they have not seen any safety indicators related to the project.
A local resident expressed, “Cobalt-60, I know it emits gamma radiation. When things like gamma radiation come out, it definitely causes cancer, mutations, and deformities.”
Residents had previously complained to the government hotline 12345 but had not received any response.
In response, the Municipal Science Park told the media that the project plan had indeed been approved by the Baiyun District authorities. They stated that the project aims to build a high-energy technology park that includes an irradiation technology application platform and a high-energy irradiation technology service platform featuring electron beam X-rays and gamma rays. However, they did not provide a clear answer on whether high-energy irradiation technologies like cobalt-60 radiation sources would impact residents’ health.
Due to strong opposition from residents, the Guangzhou High-Energy Technology Park project had previously issued a public opinion solicitation notice, stating that during the publication period, residents could submit opinions and suggestions via email, letters, or phone calls. The public notice period was from August 26 to September 6.
However, according to netizens, “Construction had already started during the public notice period.”
The news has sparked attention online. Many netizens expressed concerns, saying, “The location is too close to residential areas; there may not have been a public opinion survey during the feasibility stage, and it’s unclear whether the project passed the establishment and environmental impact assessment before the construction unit was determined.” Some remarked, “This is harming lives, a slow death.” Others voiced, “Strongly oppose the construction of irradiation plants near residential areas!” and “Urban development is important, but it should not completely disregard the life and death of surrounding residents!” Some criticized Guangzhou, saying, “It’s easy to bully Guangzhou? There are issues whenever a densely populated city proposes an irradiation plant.”
Some netizens questioned, “Why must it be built in densely populated urban areas when there are many places like Huadu, Conghua, Zengcheng, or even Baiyun with ample undeveloped land where such factories could be built? I really don’t understand.”
Others expressed support, with comments like “Support the elders” and “Support the villagers, keep going!” Some shared, “If our Jiaotang Town had half of your unity, over 2000 houses wouldn’t have been demolished.”