Melbourne: There has been a stir in Western Australia due to the disappearance of a 'radioactive capsule' smaller than a coin. Authorities believe the dangerously radioactive capsule fell off a truck while being transported.
Radioactive cesium-137 is filled inside this capsule
Actually, radioactive cesium-137 is filled inside this capsule, it is usually used in mining work. There is a risk of getting a serious disease like cancer if someone touches it. Western Australia's security force and research team are looking for it.
Cesium-137 is dangerously radioactive, according to the authorities. An hour of exposure at about a meter away is the equivalent of having 10 X-rays, and prolonged contact can cause skin burns, acute radiation, sickness and cancer, they said.
Capsule disappeared somewhere along 1,400-km journey
Between 10-16 January this month, it fell somewhere between Newman city and Perth city, the distance between which is 1400 kilometers. while being taken from the truck to the mining site. The capsule had disappeared somewhere along the 1,400-kilometer journey.
The capsule, a small silver cylinder measuring 0.3 inches by 0.2 inches, formed a part of a sensor used in mining.
The government is afraid that it could fall into the hands of a common citizen. Citizens have been warned to stay away from it and not touch it.
Search is likely to take weeks
The authorities have acknowledged that they have a vast distance to cover, and that the search is likely to take weeks.
Officials of Fire and Emergency Services said they were using the radiation detectors to locate the gamma rays that will help them then locate the small device.
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