In view of a "Spiegel" report on imports of contaminated stainless steel from India to Germany, entitled "Gefahr im Container" (Danger from containers), the Federal Environment Ministry declares:
Last Tuesday (10 February 2009) the Federal Environment Ministry informed the public of findings of radioactively contaminated stainless steel products from India in several German Länder (see Press Service No. 41/09).
According to analyses by the competent Länder authorities the material does not pose a hazard to public health or to the employees of the companies affected. For the large majority of the steel imports in question contamination is below the permissible threshold values (exemption levels of the German Radiation Law). The contaminated steel products have been confiscated. So far, consumer goods have not been affected by the imports. The situation is therefore not "dramatic".
The contaminated stainless steel imports from India are part of global trade chains which involve many countries. The problem is therefore not a purely German one.
It is true that the metal industry is worried because the sectors concerned could face economic disadvantages if the problem is not solved quickly.
The Federal Environment Ministry is currently holding talks with all concerned to discuss potential solutions. Moreover, the Ministry has taken initiatives at international level aimed at avoiding contaminated imports from India or other countries in future and preventing a creeping increase of radioactivity in consumer goods.