The radioactive capsule lost in Australia has been found

It was found on the side of the road 50 kilometers S. of Newman there radioactive capsule traces of which had been lost in Australia: inside it contained a small amount of Cesium-137a radioactive isotope which emits gamma and beta radiationvery harmful to health. The risk increases the closer you get to the substance And more time you spend in his presence. As we had reported in the previous article, beta radiation is very dangerous because it causes serious damage to the surfaces with which they come into contact: in the case of the skin, an initial redness could occur, but also ulceration and necrosis. To find the capsule, the authorities have employed tools that use a particular technology that detects radiation.

Lost and found

“Research teams have literally found a needle in a haystack”, joked Stephen Dawson, the head of emergency services, complimenting the work done. To make the search actions complicated, in fact, they had been the dimensions of the capsule: 8 mm in length and 6 in diameter. The tiny container had to be transferred to Perththe capital of Western Australia, but was lost en route by approx 1400 kilometers separating the Gudai-Darri mining site of the Rio Tinto Group, not far from Newman. The truck belonged to a company in charge of transporting the capsule from the company that deals with mining and which a few days ago announced the disappearance of the device. The disappearance of the capsule was only notified on January 25th9 days after the lorry arrived in Perth, following an inspection.

Precautions and (apparently) good news

The radioactive capsule was brought to Newmanbut will depart for Perth on Thursday after being secured in a lead container. As it reads on Guardianauthorities have begun to explore the area surrounding where the capsule was found for rule out contamination. After the fall from the truck”it seems that the device has not moved”, informed the Guardian Andrew Robertson, chief health officer of Western Australia. The initial information could be reassuring: the point where the capsule fell, according to Robertson, would be so far from any type of community as to make any consequences on the health.