Archive · 13 Nov 2025
US Returns Radiation-Contaminated Footwear to Indonesia
Some shoes made in Indonesia and sent to America have been sent back because they might have a tiny bit of invisible, yucky dust called Cesium-137 on them.
This dust can come from old, unsafe metal.
It's like the shoes got a little bit dirty with something dangerous.
Indonesia is now carefully checking these returned shoes to make sure they are safe for everyone.
This is happening because a while ago, some shrimp and spices from Indonesia also had this dust when they got to America.
So, America is being extra careful.
Indonesia already cleaned up the place where they think the dust came from, and the factories there are back to normal.
They are also learning from this to make sure it doesn't happen again.
The U.S. has returned containers of footwear to Indonesia suspected of Cesium-137 contamination.
The affected footwear is linked to a company located near a site of previous radiation contamination in western Java.
Indonesian national research agency will conduct tests on the returned footwear.
The U.S. previously flagged Indonesian exports of shrimp and cloves for Cesium-137 contamination.
Factories affected by the radiation leak have undergone decontamination and are cleared for operation.
- Who
- Indonesian authorities and a government task force, U.S. authorities
- What
- Testing footwear returned from the U.S. for Cesium-137 contamination.
- When
- Tests are currently underway; information reported on Wednesday. First container arrived a month prior.
- Where
- Indonesia, specifically concerning footwear returned from the U.S. and originating from a company near the Modern Cikande Industrial Estate in western Java.
- Why
- Suspicions of radioactive contamination (Cesium-137) found in footwear exported to the U.S.
Government's Stance
US Concerns
Contamination Source
Government's Stance
A small steel company in the industrial park may have smelted scrap metal mixed with cesium, leading to airborne particles that contaminated nearby factories, including a footwear company.
US Concerns
The U.S. has flagged Indonesian exports, including footwear, for cesium-137 contamination, indicating a broader issue with Indonesian products.
Decontamination Status
Government's Stance
Affected factories have undergone decontamination and have been declared fit to resume normal operations.
US Concerns
The U.S. is implementing new import certification requirements for Indonesian shrimp and spices due to previous contamination concerns.
- Radioactive Substance
- Cesium-137 (Cs-137)
- Product Involved
- Footwear
- Origin of Contamination
- A small steel company near the Modern Cikande Industrial Estate in western Java
- Incident Reporting Date
- Wednesday
- Previous Contamination
- Shrimp and cloves exported to the U.S.
- US Action on Imports
- Flagged Indonesian exports for cesium-137 contamination; implementing new certification for shrimp and spices.
- Decontamination Completion
- Completed at affected factories; declared fit for normal operations.
