China rejects Nigerian mineral shipment over excess radioactivity

XIAMEN, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- More than 70 tonnes of imported zircon sand, a
refractory mineral, was ordered on Monday to be returned to its country of
origin -- Nigeria -- for exceeding radioactivity standards, authorities said.

The Gamma-ray equivalent of the 74.25 tonnes of zircon sand loaded in four
containers was found to be 100 times the normal standard, a Xiamen inspection
and quarantine official said.

The zircon sand had been destined for the coastal city of Quanzhou for
ceramic production, he said.

Such high level of radioactivity was rare. Importers should set limits on
the radioactive standards of minerals, he said.