South Korea’s tech giant Samsung is facing scrutiny after two employees were hospitalized following exposure to radiation at their chip manufacturing plant in Giheung. The incident, which occurred on May 27th, has sparked an investigation by the country’s Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC).

According to a press release issued by the NSSC, the two workers were exposed to X-rays while operating a machine used for material analysis. This process involves bombarding materials with X-rays to study their composition. While the NSSC hasn’t elaborated on the specifics of the incident, it confirms that both employees exhibited “abnormal symptoms” on their fingers, a telltale sign of radiation exposure.

Intriguingly, the NSSC reports that initial blood tests conducted on the affected workers came back normal. However, this doesn’t necessarily negate the possibility of radiation-related health effects. The commission plans to conduct further examinations to determine the exact amount of radiation the workers were exposed to and assess any potential long-term health risks.

Meanwhile, the NSSC has taken the precautionary measure of suspending the operation of the machine involved in the incident. Their investigation will focus on pinpointing the cause of the exposure and ensuring adherence to safety protocols. Samsung, for its part, has released a statement acknowledging the incident. They confirmed that the exposure was accidental and involved X-rays coming into contact with the workers’ hands. The company has pledged its full support to the affected employees’ treatment and recovery. Additionally, Samsung is cooperating fully with the NSSC investigation.

The NSSC has warned of potential consequences for Samsung if the investigation reveals any violations of safety regulations. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with working in environments that utilize radiation, even in seemingly controlled settings like chip manufacturing plants.

This article was originally published on May 29, 2024, at 2 pm ET.