- Catherine Armstrong
- BBC News
The capsule disappeared while being transported from a mine in Western Australia
An urgent search has been launched in Western Australia after a microcapsule containing radioactive material went missing.
This capsule contains radioactive cesium-137, which may cause serious illnesses by touching it.
This delicate container was lost in the area between the cities of Newman and Perth in mid-January, which is an estimated distance of 1,400 kilometers.
The authorities issued a warning not to approach the capsule if it was found anywhere.
The capsule went missing while being transported in a truck between a mine north of Newman, in the Pilbara region, and north-east Perth, from January 10 to January 16.
Cesium-137 is commonly used in mineral exploration.
The Australian Fire and Emergency Services Department said the capsule could not be used as a weapon, but could result in radiation burns and other long-term risks such as cancer.
Andrew Robertson, chairman of the Radiation Risk Board and head of the state’s medical department, said the delicate container could emit a “significant” amount of radiation.
He added, “We have concerns about someone finding it and not knowing what it is. He may think it is something important and keep it, or put it in his room, car, or give it to someone else.”
The Department of Emergency Services and Firefighting published an illustration of the missing capsule, and its dimensions are 6 millimeters by 8 millimeters.
The authorities searched my location, the starting point of the capsule’s transfer journey, as well as the end point. The authorities are also making other efforts aimed at identifying the exact path of the truck and the points at which it stopped to narrow the scope of the search.
The authorities have appealed to anyone who finds the container to contact the emergency department and seek immediate medical assistance if they believe they have touched it.