A radiation alert was issued Australia on Saturday a missing radioactive capsule. The warning was authorities in Western Australia. State officials there warned residents a "radioactive substance risk" several regions, including the state capital Perth. The search is now for the tiny capsule, which contains the harmful and radioactive substance Caesium-137. The capsule is just 8 mm high and 6 mm wide. However, it contains a sufficient amount radioactive material to "cause serious health consequences". The capsule went missing as it was being transported the mining town of Newman to a northeast suburb Perth. Officials believe it fell through a hole the truck transporting it.
Caesium-137 is used the mining industry Australia. The chief health officer Western Australia, Andrew Robertson, urged caution to anyone finding the capsule. He warned: "Exposure to this substance could cause radiation burns or severe illness. If people see the capsule or something that looks similar, stay away it and keep others away it too." He added: "If you are very close to the material or touch it, the radiation risk increases immensely and could cause serious damage your health, including causing radiation burns the skin." Even being a metre the capsule could expose someone to radiation levels that are the equivalent ten X-rays.
