A major public health warning was issued in Australia on Friday after a radioactive capsule apparently fell off a truck while in transit.
The tiny radioactive gauge—which is smaller than a penny—was being transported from a mining site in the remote Pilbara region in the north of the state of Western Australia to a depot in Perth about 870 miles away.
At an emergency press conference Friday, the state’s chief health officer, Andy Robertson, said authorities believe the capsule fell out of a truck after vibrations on the journey caused a bolt in the vehicle to come loose, allowing the capsule to fall out of the bolt hole.
“Our concern is that someone will pick it up, not knowing what it is,” Robertson said, adding that hazardous material experts are now searching for the missing capsule. “They may think it is something interesting and keep it, or keep it in their room, keep it in their car, or give it to someone. Obviously we feel that it is important that we warn the community that if they do come across this source, they need to take great care.”
While radioactive gauges are commonly used in mining, they can pose serious health risks to people depending on how long someone is exposed to their radiation. Robertson said the capsule emits a “reasonable” amount of radiation roughly equivalent to someone receiving 10 X-rays in one hour if they came within 3 feet of it.
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The tiny radioactive gauge—which is smaller than a penny—was being transported from a mining site in the remote Pilbara region in the north of the state of Western Australia to a depot in Perth about 870 miles away.
At an emergency press conference Friday, the state’s chief health officer, Andy Robertson, said authorities believe the capsule fell out of a truck after vibrations on the journey caused a bolt in the vehicle to come loose, allowing the capsule to fall out of the bolt hole.
“Our concern is that someone will pick it up, not knowing what it is,” Robertson said, adding that hazardous material experts are now searching for the missing capsule. “They may think it is something interesting and keep it, or keep it in their room, keep it in their car, or give it to someone. Obviously we feel that it is important that we warn the community that if they do come across this source, they need to take great care.”
While radioactive gauges are commonly used in mining, they can pose serious health risks to people depending on how long someone is exposed to their radiation. Robertson said the capsule emits a “reasonable” amount of radiation roughly equivalent to someone receiving 10 X-rays in one hour if they came within 3 feet of it.
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