A radioactive capsule has disappeared in Australia
2023.01.28 03:43
A radioactive capsule has disappeared in Australia
By Kristina Sobol
Budrigannews.com – Authorities said on Saturday that a radioactive capsule used in mining was misplaced en route to Perth, the state capital. As a result, parts of Western Australia were placed under a radiation alert.
Perth was included in the alert that was issued on Friday by authorities in Australia’s largest state for a “radioactive substance risk.”
According to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, the silver capsule containing Caesium-137 got lost on its way from north of Newman, a small town in the remote Kimberley region, to the northeast suburbs of Perth.
“In mining operations, the substance is used within gauges. “The agency stated that exposure to this substance could result in radiation burns or radiation sickness.”
According to the state health agency, the capsule vanished while being transported by truck from a mine to a Perth storage facility. About 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) northeast of Perth is Newman.
Authorities say that although the truck left the location on January 12, the capsule was not discovered to be missing until this week, when emergency services were notified.
According to reports, the capsule belonged to Rio Tinto (NYSE:) Mine, Ltd. A request for clarification was made, but the business did not immediately respond.
Andrew Robertson, chief health officer for Western Australia, stated that the capsule could result in radiation burns and skin redness if kept close to the body.
He stated to reporters:
“They could have some more acute effects, including impacts on their immune system, if it was kept long enough and they were exposed for long enough.”
He stated that it was thought that the truck’s vibration caused the gauge to break and the object to emerge from it.
