Australia searches for capsule filled with radioactive material that ’causes cancer’ if touched
A search is on for a small ‘capsule’ containing radioactive material that was lost during transport in the western part of Australia.
The capsule also contains trace amounts of Cesium 137 (a radioactive material used in nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors) which can cause severe health hazards if accidentally touched.
This capsule filled with radioactive material went missing somewhere in Newmin, a town in the Australian city of Perth in the middle of January.
It should be clear that there is a distance of about 1400 kilometers between these two places.
Warning the public about the danger of radiation, it has been said that if they see this capsule anywhere, they should never go near it.
Between 10 and 16 January, the capsule was being transported by truck to Perth from its location at Pilbara, north of New Zealand, when it was lost.
It should be noted that Cesium 137 is commonly used in mining operations.
The Fire and Emergency Services Department says that ‘weapons cannot be made from this capsule filled with radioactive material, however, the skin affected by this material can burn and it can also cause cancer’.
According to Dr. Andrew Robertson, head of the Radiological Council and State Chief Health Officer, ‘there is a reasonable amount of radiation in the capsule and we are concerned that this dangerous material should not be taken by anyone without knowledge.’
According to Dr. Andrew Robertson, ‘It is possible that the person carrying it may unknowingly know something interesting and he may take it to his home and keep it or give it to someone as a gift’.
The Fire and Emergency Services Department has also released a sketch of it to warn the public, according to which the measurement of this small capsule is between six and eight millimeters.
The organization warns the public that if anyone has seen this capsule or suspects that he has come in contact with this capsule in any way, then such person needs immediate medical attention and for this without delay Fire and Emergency Services should be contacted.
