Rio Tinto apologizes for missing radioactive capsule in Australia

[{"selector":"#anim-a18fcb05-ef53-4547-b29a-41df0b8d9efb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(7.037777888270856%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Mining giant Rio Tinto has apologized for the loss of a small radioactive capsule that went missing while being transported to Western Australia. credit-google

An emergency hunt for the device, which is about the size of a pea, is underway along a 1,400 km (870 mi) route.

[{"selector":"#anim-9aebf92d-43d7-452a-b9b6-9a8e80d0611b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(33.05288451255018%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] credit-google

[{"selector":"#anim-a7b70564-0e6b-4c2d-8cb6-c39b9882d49d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-27.249999855482976%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The capsule contains a small amount of radioactive cesium-137, which can cause serious illness to anyone exposed to it. credit-google

Emergency services are searching for the device using radiation detectors and other specialized equipment, and say the chances of finding the small device are "fairly good".

[{"selector":"#anim-a1c2c071-0bc2-4f44-bae3-202767f17666 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(47.03369143578034%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] credit-google

This may include skin damage, burns or radiation sickness.

[{"selector":"#anim-d89af23b-1012-4e06-ab90-27caac1aa5d5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-14.492187223268518%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] credit-google

[{"selector":"#anim-b52ac403-79b5-4ea3-9b60-60f9212ea3ea [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] But Australia's Department for Fire and Emergency Services said the silver capsule - just 6 mm (0.24 in) in diameter and 8 mm long - was so small it would have gotten stuck in the tire of a vehicle passing by on the side of the road. credit-google

There is also concern that if it is found by a member of the public, they may unknowingly keep it as a souvenir.

[{"selector":"#anim-819a5a28-534c-48d5-a6ff-cf1651a4b385 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.25736487992438%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] credit-google

[{"selector":"#anim-b63f3f37-75a5-40ee-b5c3-c13ecca57753 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-36.80986344353595%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Officials are keen to stress that inhaling the capsule can cause radiation burns, while prolonged exposure can cause cancer. credit-google

[{"selector":"#anim-e32cd0dc-18f4-4ca8-b967-8c615e7c8f82 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.5982868953451614%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] When it was opened for inspection on 25 January, the gauges were found to be broken and the radioactive capsule missing. One of the four bolts and screws were also missing. credit-google

[{"selector":"#anim-b76bdff8-6a07-44ce-b12c-847fef5c5a32 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.23521281988994%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Officials said the bolts could have loosened due to vibration during transit, causing the capsule to fall through a gap in the casing and into the truck. credit-google

[{"selector":"#anim-9972bd2a-994a-4589-9832-e5f9dacdab42 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(68.35937480800591%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Specialist radiation detection equipment is being fitted to the patrol vehicles that will cover its length. Over five days, they will travel in both directions along the Great Northern Highway at speeds of around 50 km/h (30 mph). . credit-google