Image credit: Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA
A tiny radioactive capsule that was lost in the Australian outback for more than two weeks and posed a “significant public health risk” has been found by the side of the road.
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 of Western Australia to Perth, was found south of the town of Newman.
The 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 2 Feb, inside a lead container to shield people from radiation.
Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished
