Coin-sized radioactive device, missing for more than two weeks in WA, posed a significant public health risk
Western Australian authorities had searched along a 1,400km stretch of the Great Northern Highway for the missing radioactive capsule.Western Australian authorities had searched along a 1,400km stretch of the Great Northern Highway for the missing radioactive capsule.Last modified on Wed 1 Feb 2023 08.31 GMT
The 8mm by 6mm capsule, which fell from a secure device on a truck that was travelling from a Rio Tinto mine site in the Pilbara region ofThe Australian defence force is now verifying the small radioactive device by its serial number. It is being stored at a secure location in Newman, before being transported to Perth on Thursday, inside a lead container to shield people from radiation.
“I have responsibility as the chair of the radiological council to actually investigate and if required, prosecute offences under the act,” Robertson said. “It does not appear the device has moved,” he said. “It appears to have fallen off the truck and landed by the side of the road. It is remote enough that it is not near any majority community.”Health authorities had warned that standing within a metre of the capsule would be equivalent to receiving 10 X-rays in an hour. They warned people not to touch or approach the capsule if found.
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