A radioactive capsule that emits the equivalent of 10 X-rays per hour of radiation has gone missing from a truck in Western Australia. The lost capsule has sparked concern among health officials.
The public has been warned to steer clear of the capsule if they see it.
It was being trucked between a mining site north of Newman in the Pilbara region and the northeastern parts of Perth between 10 and 16 January when it went missing. Cesium-137 is a substance widely used in mining operations.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) called on people to be vigilant after the capsule, which measures no larger than 6mm by 8mm, went missing on an 870-mile trajectory while being moved from Malaga, in Perth, and Newman in the upstate.
A search was launched on Friday to find the capsule, which contains a substance used in meters in mining operations.
While it cannot be “weaponised”, it can have serious health consequences, the health ministry said.
The object emits a “reasonable” amount of radiation, said Dr. Andrew Robertson, chief state health officer and chairman of the Radiological Council.
Dr. Robertson said: “Our concern is that someone will pick it up, not knowing what it is.
“They might think it’s something interesting and keep it, or keep it in their room, keep it in their car, or give it to someone.”
READ MORE: Viktor Orban tears up the deployment of Scholz’s tanks in Kiev
“If you have touched the material or been near it for an extended period of time, please contact your local doctor or visit a hospital emergency department and tell them that you believe you may have been exposed to radioactive material.
“Being very close to or touching the material greatly increases the radiation risk and can cause serious damage to your health, including causing radiation burns to the skin.”
Dr. Robertson said in footage shared by ABC that the capsule emits an amount of radiation equivalent to 10 x-rays in one hour.
That is the amount of natural radiation that a person is usually exposed to during a year.
He also called on the public to report it immediately.
DFES has released an illustration of the object, which measures 6mm by 8mm.
The locations where the transport started and ended have been searched and work is underway to find out the exact route and stops made to narrow the search field.
Anyone who sees the object is urged to call DFES and seek urgent medical attention if they believe they may have come into contact with it.