Diapers behind raised radiation levels in Nantou trashStaff writer, with CNAElevated radiation levels detected at a waste incineration facility in Nantou County last weekend were likely caused by diapers used by a patient undergoing radionuclide therapy and would not pose a danger to the public, the Nuclear Safety Commission said yesterday. On Saturday last week, elevated radiation levels were detected in two garbage trucks transporting trash from Nantou's Puli Township (埔里) to a waste incineration plant outside the county, prompting the facility to refuse service, Chinese-language media reports said. Photo courtesy of the Nuclear Safety CommissionAfter conducting testing yesterday, nuclear safety officials identified the source of the radiation as paper diapers contaminated with Lutetium-177 (Lu-177), the commission said. Thirteen contaminated diapers were found in the heap where the trash was being stored, which had slightly elevated radiation levels of up to 10 microsieverts per hour, the Liberty Times (the Taipei Times’ sister newspaper) reported. The diapers have been quarantined by the Puli sanitation team and would be sent for incineration after their radiation levels decay naturally to background levels, it said.

Source: Taipei Times February 10, 2026 14:13 UTC