Authorities found a small missing radioactive capsule on a remote Australian highway. Read to know more about the challenging search.
Lost and found: Tiny missing radioactive capsule
State emergency authorities on Wednesday afternoon announced the discovery of a tiny radioactive capsule containing cesium-137. The object was discovered six days after it was first noted as missing from a package. It was being transported to Perth, from a mining site hundreds of kilometers away in Rio Trio. “Locating this object was a monumental challenge – the search groups have quite literally found the needle in the haystack,” stated Stephen Dawson. Dawson is the state Emergency Services Minister.
The disappearance of the capsule sparked a massive search along the highway with the help of specialized radiation detection units. Additionally, the public was warned to not approach the capsule as it could lead to serious burns upon contact with the skin. The 8-millimeters long and 6-millimeters round capsule somehow fell from the back of the truck during the 870-mile route on the Great Northern Highway.
More on the missing radioactive capsule case
Rio Tinto has been using the apparatus in a gauge at its iron ore mine in Gudai-Darri. As per their official statement, it has been regularly transporting and storing dangerous goods. Simon Trott, the Chief Executive stated the company was “incredibly grateful” for the work and apologized for the loss. “While the recovery of the capsule is a great testament to the skill and tenacity of the search team. The fact is it should never have been lost in the first place. We are taking this incident very seriously. And are undertaking a full and thorough investigation into how it happened,” stated Trott.
The missing radioactive capsule was located at 11:13 am local time. It was placed two meters off the road by the crew with the help of radiation detection tools. A 20-meter exclusion zone was set up before transferring it to a lead-safe container. It will then be transported to a security facility located in Newman. Following this, it will be moved to a health department facility in Perth on Thursday. “It does not appear to have moved. And also appears to have fallen off the track and landed on the side of the road. Moreover, it is remote enough that it’s not in any major community. So it is unlikely that anybody has been exposed to the capsule,” stated Andrew Robertson. Robertson is the Chair and Chief Health Officer of the Radiological Council.