Nuclear agency joins hunt for lost radioactive capsule in WA

The capsule, containing a tiny but dangerous substance, was part of a device believed to have fallen off a truck while being transported between a desert mine site and the city of Perth on January 10.

The truck transporting the capsule arrived at a Perth depot on January 16. Emergency services were notified of the missing capsule on January 25.

ARPANSA said it was working with the Western Australian government to find the capsule.

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation also sent radiation services specialists as well as detection and imaging equipment.

Mining giant Rio Tinto yesterday apologised for losing the radioactive capsule somewhere on the 1,400kms stretch of road.

The capsule measures 8mm by 6mm, and people have been warned it could have unknowingly become lodged in their car’s tyres.

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The caesium 137 ceramic source, commonly used in radiation gauges, emits dangerous amounts of radiation, equivalent of receiving 10 X-rays in an hour. It could cause skin burns and prolonged exposure could cause cancer.

Western Australia’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services publicly announced the capsule had gone missing last Friday, two days after they were notified by Rio Tinto.

The mining giant said the contractor was qualified to transport the device and it had been confirmed being on board the truck by a Geiger counter prior to leaving the mine.

Police determined the incident to be an accident and no criminal charges are likely.

– Reported with Associated Press