Missing!
Saw this link.
Search underway for missing radioactive capsule in WA (msn.com)
They are talking about a very tiny capsule, probably the size of some of those button batteries.
Firstly, I'd be interested to know how many of them were being transported and how one 'went missing' in the first place. Are they certain it went missing in transit and not before or after?
Surely it couldn't just fall out of the side of the truck? Very suss.
And what is it for?
I presume the main danger is if someone tries to pry it open? But I don't really know.
Just hope the searchers have geiger counters as I can't see how they are going to locate the thing without them, and even then, I don't like their chances.
I am not sure humans can be trusted around anything radioactive/nuclear.
What can go wrong, will.
springyzone
OP3 years agoThat's amazing it was found, but it seems it was picked up by a vehicle travelling at 70kph.
I was imagining people having to walk the whole route, on either side of the road.
Lots of questions to be answered and regulations and penalties to be reviewed, I would think.
I read that some TV show in US mocked the loss. To be expected, but should be careful as I bet there have been a few cover ups in that country, for sure.
cam-2793
·3 years agohttps://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/us-military-missing-six-nuclear-weapons-180032&ved=2ahUKEwiF1d23tfb8AhXLzTgGHdDgAaoQFnoECAoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3K-FNfoV98uW66dtmBVQEe
US has had 6 missing nuclear weapons go missing ( not yet found!) and has has over 30 "broken arrow" incidents that we know of, so yeah, let them mock us for temporarily misplacing one tiny capsule.
ambercat16
·3 years agoHaha, just came in to report it had been found!
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-01/australian-radioactive-capsule-found-in-wa-outback-rio-tinto/101917828
Actually, it might have been a good thing that it happened - it's certainly stirred things up and hopefully there will be some changes made and less complacency in the future
cam-2793
·3 years agoNah! She'll be Jake mate.😉
cam-2793
·3 years agoFound it! Yay!
countessalmirena
·3 years agoIt is now safe to pick up small objects in WA... but there are stern questions to answer.
papermoon.lady
·3 years agoI agree. 😞
domino-710
·3 years agoIt's probably stuck in some poor joggers tread.
countessalmirena
·3 years agoIt’s concerning that the loss wasn’t even reported for weeks.
In that time, who knows where the caesium-137 capsule is? It’s so small…!
The fact that it was lost from a supposedly secure device that became damaged due to vibration (perfectly predictable) is quite a worry. It screams “inadequate” to me.
ambercat16
·3 years agoI saw a brief story on the news last night then a bit later I was talking to my son in the UK and apparently it has made the news there too. There's a little bit more information in this article
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-28/radioactive-capsule-search-perth-to-pilbara-/101902914
Might be wrong but it looks and sounds to me more like someone trying to save money by cutting corners (she'll be right, mate!).
It's a worry though. If it was on the road, it could have been picked up in a car tyre and taken anywhere. I hope they do find it ...... and soon.
springyzone
OP3 years agoThat's interesting that it even made the news in UK.
Someone has definitely cut some corners somewhere, for this to happen. I did hear it was a week before it was noticed, so it could be anywhere by now.
They are telling people not to go within a few metres of it, yet the searchers aren't in any special protective clothing. I guess if they hear a beep, they will need to back off. With such a long stretch of road, I don't like their chances of finding it and I am not 100% convinced it was lost on the road but we might never know.
papermoon.lady
·3 years agoIt could also be found by an animal...
arctoph_49
·3 years agoI had exactly the same thought yesterday but forgot to post!