Western Australian radioactive capsule incident explained

Sometime between 10 and 16 January 2023, a radioactive capsule containing caesium-137 was lost from a truck in Western Australia. The capsule was being transported 1400km (900miles) from Rio Tinto's Gudai-Darri iron ore mine near Newman to a depot in the Perth suburb of Malaga. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services announced to the public on 27 January that the capsule had gone missing, and that the capsule was potentially deadly and could cause burns and radiation sickness. It was discovered on the side of the road near Newman on 1 February.

The capsule

The capsule is 6x in size[1] and is used as part of a nucleonic level sensor in the crushing circuit[2] in iron ore mining. The capsule contains 19 gigabecquerel[3] of caesium-137 as a ceramic source.[4] [5] The amount of radiation emitted by the capsule could induce burns and radiation sickness and is potentially deadly to humans.[1]

Timeline

On 10 January 2023, the capsule was packed in order for repair works to be carried out in Perth.

Between 11 and 14 January, the capsule left Rio Tinto's Gudai-Darri mine[6] for transport. The package containing the capsule arrived in Perth on 16 January and was unloaded and placed into secure storage. The package was unpacked for inspection on 25 January, with one of four mounting bolts and all screws on the gauge missing, and the capsule itself also missing. Authorities surmised that the bolt had worked loose because of vibrations during the 1400km (900miles) journey, and then the capsule had fallen through the bolt hole.

On the evening of 25 January, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) was notified of the missing capsule by the Western Australia Police Force.[7]

The Chief Health Officer of Western Australia, Andrew Robertson, held an emergency press conference, with DFES issuing an "urgent public health warning" on 27 January.[8] Members of the public were warned to observe a safe distance of five metres if they found the capsule, and drivers who had recently used the Great Northern Highway were asked to check their vehicle tyres in case it was lodged in the tread.

A search was carried out after the capsule was reported missing, with more than 100 personnel involved. Agencies assisting the search included the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, WA Police, DFES, and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.[9]

The capsule was found on 1 February, 74km (46miles) south of Newman by a search crew in a vehicle travelling at 70km/h. The presence was noticed when the detection equipment picked up radiation emitted by the capsule.[10] [1] Authorities said it was unlikely it caused harm to anyone in the time it was lost.[11]

Responses

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticised the low penalty for losing radioactive materials in Western Australia. Under the Radiation Safety Regulations Act, the maximum penalty for failing to safely store, pack and transport radioactive materials is a $1,000 fine. The Government of Western Australia has stated it will review the penalties for mishandling radioactive materials, but any change will not be retroactive.[12] [13] In July 2023, it was confirmed Rio Tinto would not be fined as "no breaches of the radiation safety act had been identified" when the "tiny, but potentially deadly" capsule was lost, although "issues stemming from the investigation [...] to provide input into updates of national safety standards" continue to be considered.[14]

Rio Tinto offered to pay for the search costs.[15] After discussion with Western Australia government, Rio donated a mobile camp worth $4 million to assist in flood recovery of Fitzroy Crossing, in lieu of cash payment.[16]

The search and subsequent recovery of the capsule has been likened to finding a "needle in a haystack" by the media and authorities.[17] [18]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: 2023-02-01 . Remarkable recovery of tiny radioactive capsule leaves questions unanswered amid 'silver lining' . ABC News . 2023-02-01 . 1 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230201215152/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-02/recovery-of-radioactive-capsule-leaves-questions-unanswered/101919726 . live .
  2. Web site: Rio Tinto expresses its gratitude to search crews for locating missing capsule . www.riotinto.com . en . 9 February 2023 . 9 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230209130130/https://www.riotinto.com/en/news/releases/2023/rio-tinto-expresses-its-gratitude-to-search-crews-for-locating-missing-capsule . live .
  3. News: Doherty . Ben . Search stepped up for potentially deadly radioactive capsule lost in Western Australia . 29 January 2023 . The Guardian . 29 January 2023 . 29 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230129075159/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jan/29/new-technology-deployed-in-search-for-tiny-potentially-deadly-missing-radioactive-capsule . live .
  4. Web site: Bunch . Aaron . Search for radioactive capsule continues . Australian Associated Press . 21 February 2023 . 29 January 2023 . 28 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230128045609/https://www.aap.com.au/news/search-for-missing-radioactive-capsule/ . live .
  5. Web site: Hastie . Hamish . WA health risk as tiny amount of radioactive substance lost in transit . WAtoday . 27 January 2023 . 27 January 2023 . 27 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230127082008/https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/wa-health-risk-as-tiny-amount-of-radioactive-substance-lost-in-transit-20230127-p5cg2t.html . live .
  6. Web site: Anderson . Anthony . Tiny radioactive capsule lost somewhere on road for up to 18 days. news.com.au . 28 January 2023 . 28 January 2023.
  7. Web site: 27 January 2023 . Hazmat General Warning . EmergencyWA.
  8. Web site: Guardian Staff . 27 January 2023 . Missing radioactive capsule sparks urgent health alert in Western Australia . 27 January 2023 . The Guardian . 27 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230127080708/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jan/27/missing-radioactive-capsule-sparks-urgent-health-alert-in-western-australia . live .
  9. Web site: Australian nuclear body joins search for missing radioactive capsule . 2023-02-01 . NBC News . 1 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230201082609/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/australian-nuclear-body-joins-search-missing-radioactive-capsule-rcna68320 . live .
  10. Web site: 'We've found the needle in the haystack': Tiny radioactive capsule found in outback WA. James. Carmody. Rosemary. Murphy. 1 February 2023. ABC News. 1 February 2023. 1 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230201074814/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-01/australian-radioactive-capsule-found-in-wa-outback-rio-tinto/101917828. live.
  11. Web site: Magazine . Smithsonian . Sullivan . Will . Radioactive Capsule Safely Recovered in Western Australia . 2023-03-20 . Smithsonian Magazine . en.
  12. Web site: Ho . Cason . Searson . Amelia . Prime minister slams 'ridiculously low' penalty for mishandling radioactive material . ABC News . 3 February 2023 . 1 February 2023 . 2 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202180818/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-01/anthony-albanese-lost-radioactive-capsule-western-australia/101915640 . live .
  13. Web site: Zimmerman . Josh . Le Messurier . Danielle . Rio Tinto's missing capsule found as Government discusses increasing fines for losing radioactive material . The West Australian . 3 February 2023 . 1 February 2023 . subscription . 3 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203065114/https://thewest.com.au/news/disaster-and-emergency/rio-tintos-missing-capsule-found-as-government-discusses-increasing-fines-for-losing-radioactive-material-c-9622269 . live .
  14. News: Keane . Bourke . Rio Tinto won't be fined over lost radioactive capsule, authorities confirm . 2023-07-20 . ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 2023-07-30 . 'The inquiry did not identify any breaches of the Radiation Safety Act by Rio Tinto or its licensees or employees and no adverse findings against Rio Tinto or its licensees have been recorded.' Without any finding of wrongdoing, it's understood no penalty will be imposed against [... Rio Tinto]. .
  15. Web site: Carmody . James . Murphy . Rosemary . Missing radioactive capsule found in WA outback after frantic search . ABC News . 3 February 2023 . 1 February 2023 . 2 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202235220/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-01/australian-radioactive-capsule-found-in-wa-outback-rio-tinto/101917828 . live .
  16. News: Perpitch . Nicolas . Rio Tinto to help rebuild flood-ravaged Fitzroy Crossing in lieu of payment for radioactive capsule search . 1 November 2023 . ABC . 2 March 2023.
  17. Web site: Needle-in-a-haystack search for lost radioactive capsule continues . 9 News . 3 February 2023 . 29 January 2023 . 3 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203071233/https://www.9news.com.au/national/wa-lost-radioactive-capsule-search-update-we-are-not-trying-to-find-the-small-capsule-by-eyesight/ec05960c-5fd4-4ba7-9a4c-e83ec7709080 . live .
  18. Web site: Hastie . Hamish . 'Needle in a haystack': Search over after radioactive capsule found in WA outback . WAtoday . 3 February 2023 . 1 February 2023 . 3 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203071234/https://www.watoday.com.au/national/who-will-pay-for-wa-s-1400-kilometre-radioactive-capsule-hunt-20230201-p5ch6q.html . live .

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