Kumho Tire reports no radiation leak after plant fire

Seoul – Kumho Tire has reported that no radiation leak was detected at its Gwangju manufacturing site following a major fire at its largest and oldest plant. (ERJ report)

In a 21 May stock exchange filing, the tire maker confirmed that a fire broke out on the morning of 17 May in the mixing section of the Gwangju factory.

The blaze, it added, spread to the calendering section, where it was discovered that the fire had reached a “designated radiation-controlled area.”

Kumho said it reported the incident to the relevant authorities, including the nuclear safety and security commission and the Korea institute of nuclear safety.

According to the company, the calendering section uses a radioactive material (the isotope strontium-90) during the tire manufacturing process to measure rubber thickness.

The material, Kumho noted, is used strictly within licensed facilities.

“The radioactive source is fully sealed within a metal capsule and, to date, there has been no confirmed radiation leak or exposure,” the company stated.

Kumho added that dose measurements taken within the radiation-controlled area have shown no anomalies.

However, it noted that due to fire damage, access to the interior of the building is currently restricted, making it difficult to verify the condition of the radiation source.

“Once safety is ensured, appropriate measures will be taken without delay,” said Kumho, adding that it is cooperating with the authorities to investigate the incident.