Radiation threat! Urgent public health warning issued over lost radioactive capsule in Western Australia

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There is currently a radioactive capsule lost somewhere on the 1400km stretch of highway between Newman and Malaga in Western Australia. It is a 8mm x 6mm cylinder used in mining equipment. Being in close proximity to it is the equivalent having 10 X-rays per hour. It fell out of a truck.

Authorities in Western Australia are searching for a missing radioactive capsule lost from a mine site in the state’s north.

The capsule was lost somewhere between the mine in Newman and the outskirts of Perth — a potential search area stretching more than 1,400km.

The DFES is coordinating the search.

From a news article:

A missing radioactive capsule lost somewhere between Perth and a Pilbara mine site over an area of 1,400 kilometres has sparked an urgent health warning.

In an emergency press conference on Friday afternoon, WA’s chief health officer urged people to stay away from the capsule if they see it because of its radioactive properties.

The capsule is tiny – 6mm diameter by 8mm high.

The radioactive gauges are commonly used in mining. It went missing from a truck sometime after January 10.

Urgent public health warning issued over lost radioactive capsule in Western Australia
Radioactive capsule is tiny

Any motorists who have travelled along the Great Northern Highway between Newman and Perth since January 10 should check their tyres, in case the capsule has become lodged in them.

Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson said the capsule was lost while it was being transported, somewhere between a mine site north of Newman and Malaga, north east of Perth.

It is believed the capsule fell through the gap left by a bolt hole, after the bolt was dislodged when a container collapsed as a result of vibrations during the trip.

Authorities are searching Great Northern Highway in a desperate effort to find the capsule, which is smaller than a 10-cent piece.

DFES said the capsule “cannot be weaponised” but are still urging caution due to potentially serious health consequences.

Urgent public health warning issued over lost radioactive capsule in Western Australia
The radioactive capsule was lost on the road between those two cities.

Radiation equivalent to 10 X-rays an hour

Mr Robertson said it does emit a “reasonable” amount of radiation.

He says the radiation emitted is equivalent to receiving 10 X-rays in one hour, if you were within one metre of it, or the amount of natural radiation a body is exposed to over a year.

The half-life of the substance is 30 years.

“It emits both beta rays and gamma rays so if you have it close to you, you could either end up with skin damage including skin burns,” he said.

“And if you have it long enough near you, it could cause acute radiation sickness.

“Now that will take a period of time but obviously we are recommending people not be close to it or hang on to it.”

Mr Robertson advised anyone who finds the capsule not to go near it, and to rather call DFES on 133 337.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services is leading search efforts, coordinating a team involving the Department of Health, WA Police, and other subject matter experts.

DFES Country North chief superintendent David Gill said there would be “challenges” in locating such a small object.

“The start and finish of the transportation from the mine site north of Newman, and the transport depot in Perth, are among some of the locations that are searched, and being searched yesterday, but the capsule remains unfound,” he said.

“There are challenges here. It is 1,400 kilometres between the mine site … to the north of Newman, and Perth.”

DFES have issued a warning for people to stay at least five metres away from it if they see something that resembles the capsule.

People are urged to avoid coming into contact with it, and immediately contact DFES. [ABC]

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12 Comments

  1. Drone attack targets Iranian military plant in Isfahan, blast heard
    A loud explosion was heard at a military plant in Iran’s central city of Isfahan. Emergency News WW3 !
    A loud explosion at a military plant in Iran’s central city of Isfahan was caused by an “unsuccessful” drone attack, Iranian state media reported on Sunday, citing the defense ministry.

    “One of (the drones) was hit by the…air defense and the other two were caught in defense traps and blew up. Fortunately, this unsuccessful attack did not cause any loss of life and caused minor damage to the workshop’s roof,” the ministry said in a statement carried out by the state news agency IRNA.

    Iranian news agencies earlier reported the loud blast and carried a video showing a flash of light at the plant, said to be an ammunition factory, and footage of emergency vehicles and fire trucks outside the plant.
    Iran accuses Israel

    In July, Iran said it had arrested a sabotage team made up of Kurdish militants working for Israel who planned to blow up a “sensitive” defense industry center in Isfahan.

    The announcement came amid heightening tensions with arch-enemy Israel over Tehran’s nuclear program. Israel says Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran denies this.

    #BREAKING Several Isfahan citizens told @IranIntl they have heard at least “three or four explosions”. Meanwhile, Telegram channels affiliated to IRGC are sharing this video with the caption “the moment a drone hits the Iranian Defense Ministry’s ammunition facility in Isfahan”. pic.twitter.com/tb9tHJOCKq
    — Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) January 28, 2023

    “(The attack) has not affected our installations and mission…and such blind measures will not have an impact on the continuation of the country’s progress,” the defense ministry statement said.

    There have been a number of explosions and fires around Iranian military, nuclear and industrial facilities in the past few years.

    The blasts have at times caused concern amid tensions over Iran’s nuclear program with Israel and the United States.

    Israel has long threatened military action against Iran if indirect talks between Washington and Tehran fail to salvage a 2015 nuclear pact.
    Was it False Flag Operations runs by Army of Iran to slow down riots?

  2. Ahahahahah that’s actually hilarious, that stretch of area is MASSIVE…. can take days to find something like that, if ever. I wouldn’t be concerned about it.

      • SNL (old school version) ran a skit with the Norge refrigerator repair guy that had major butt crack showing like DePoop.

    • The hammer strike was off camera. This whole deal was probably staged. That farting noise at the end was the funniest part of that video. Probably close to 70 decibels.

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