Tiny radioactive capsule believed to fall from road train in Australia

SYDNEY: Australian authorities are looking for a tiny radioactive capsule believed to have fallen out of a road train - a truck with multiple trailers - that travelled 1,400 km in Western Australia. The silver capsule is just 6 mm in diameter and 8 mm long and is part of a gauge used to measure the density of iron ore feed at Rio Tinto's remote Gudai-Darri mine.

The gauge, packaged by a specialist contractor, was picked up from the mine on January 12 by a separate logistics company. When it was unpacked on January 25, it was found broken apart, with one of its four mounting bolts as well as screws and the capsule missing.

The gauge broke apart because of vibrations from the road train and the capsule fell out, according to authorities.

It emits radiation equal to 10 X-rays an hour, if it is filled with Caesium 137. The authorities have issued a radiation alert for large parts of Western Australia and recommend that people stay at least 5 m away as exposure could cause radiation burns or sickness.

It's believed to be of relatively low risk, just driving past it.

The road train arrived at a storage facility in the suburbs of Perth on January 16 and travelled from the mine in the state's remote Kimberley region.

Search crews are traveling north and south along the state's Great Northern Highway as well as other parts of the road train journey with specialised radiation detection equipment. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said on Monday that it will take five days to cover the route of the road train. More than 660 km had been searched so far, it said on Tuesday.

The search involves five other government agencies including the Australian Nuclear and Science Technology Organisation, the Department of Defence, the police, the Australian Nuclear and Science Technology Organisation and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.