The Rio Tinto radioactive capsule lost in Australia carries the equivalent of 10 X-rays amid fears it could be picked up by passing traffic
Australian authorities and mining giant Rio Tinto are desperately searching for a small radioactive capsule that has been lost somewhere along a nearly 900-mile outback road.
The capsule’s body contains cesium-137 – a substance that researchers say has a lifespan of more than three decades.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it can cause burns, acute radiation sickness, and even death. Exposure to Cs-137 may also increase cancer risk from high-energy gamma radiation.
how did it get lost
The piece is a density meter used by Rio Tinto and was collected from its Gudai Darri mine on January 12.
It was reported missing on January 25 when its packaging was opened at a secure storage facility and parts packaged inside were not found. Authorities fear it may have been lost in transit somewhere along the 870-mile stretch from north of Newman to the north-eastern suburbs of Perth.
There were also concerns that the 6 x 8mm object could have become stuck in the tires of passing vehicles and veered off the track.
The Australian Fire and Rescue Service (DFES) online notice reads: “DFES and radiation specialists are searching along the Great Northern Highway, driving north and south at slow speed. Be careful when approaching and be careful when overtaking.”
The public warned to stay away from the device
DFES is being assisted in its search by Rio Tinto itself, which has apologized for the loss and said it takes the incident “very seriously”.
In a statement to wealthThe Company’s iron ore CEO, Simon Trott, said: “Our priority, as always, is the safety of our communities, our employees and contractors, and I encourage everyone in the community to follow the advice of the Chief Health Officer and DFES.”
dr Andrew Robertson, Chief Health Officer and Chair of the Radiological Council at the Department of Health for Western Australia, has warned people if they see the device to “stay away from it and keep others away from it as well”.
He added that exposure to trace amounts of the metal was like “10 X-rays in an hour,” continuing, “Don’t touch or pick up. The public is asked to report this immediately by calling 13 DFES (13 33 37).
“If you have touched the material or have been in the vicinity for an extended period of time, contact your local doctor or visit a hospital emergency department and let them know you think you have been exposed to radioactive material.
“If you get very close to the material or touch it, the risk of radiation increases immensely and can lead to serious health problems, including radiation burns on the skin.”
What was it used for?
The capsule – which is round and silver – was used at the Gudai-Darri mine site in the Pilbara region of Western Australia to measure the density of iron ore feedstock in the fixed plant crusher circuit.
It’s one of many substances routinely stocked and transported by the company, which says it has both legal obligations and internal standards and procedures to avoid such problems.
Trot added: “Rio Tinto engaged a third party with the expertise and certification to securely package the device in preparation for off-site transportation before it arrived at its Perth facility. Before the device left the site, a Geiger counter was used to confirm the presence of the capsule in the package.
“In addition to the full support of the relevant authorities, we have launched our own investigation to understand how the capsule was lost in transit. As part of this investigation, we are working closely with the contractor to better understand what went wrong in this case.
“We have offered the authorities our full and continued assistance in locating the missing device. We conducted on-site radiological surveys of all areas where the equipment was located and surveyed roads within the mine premises and the access road leading away from the Gudai Darri mine.”
What should you do when you find the radioactive capsule?
DFES advice adds that those who might encounter the piece should stay at least five meters away from it and not attempt to transport it by putting it in a bag or car.
It said it was notified by Western Australia (WA) Police on January 25 that the gauge had broken apart and one of the four mounting screws was missing. The source itself and all the screws on the gauge were also missing.
The agency added that it is working with the Department of Health, WA Police and Commonwealth government agencies who specialize in radiation detection.
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