The loss of a small radioactive capsule causes panic in Australia

Parts of Western Australia were on a radioactive alert today (Saturday) after authorities said a radioactive capsule used for mining went missing while it was being transported to Perth, the state capital, according to Reuters.

And the authorities in Australia's largest state issued a warning yesterday (Friday) about the danger of "radioactive material" in several regions, including Perth.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said the small silver capsule containing cesium-137 was lost during transport from North Newman, a small town in the remote Kimberley region, to the northeastern suburbs of Perth.

The administration explained, “The substance is used inside the measuring devices in mining operations.

Exposure to this substance can cause burns or radiation sickness.

The state health agency said the capsule was lost while it was being transported in a truck from a mine to a storage facility in Perth.

Newman is about 1,200 km northeast of Perth.

The authorities reported that the truck left the site on January 12, but the missing capsule was not found until last week, so the emergency services were alerted.

It was reported that the capsule was from a mine belonging to the "Rio Tinto" group.

Andrew Robertson, Western Australia's chief health officer, said the capsule, if kept close to the body, could cause skin redness and radiation burns.

"If it is exposed for a long enough period, some acute effects may occur, including effects on the immune system," he told reporters.

And he added that he believed that the shaking of the truck caused the device to disintegrate and the capsule to come out of it.

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