How do you lose a radioactive capsule?

It’s one of many many puzzling features of a case investigators will look at within the coming weeks as they attempt to piece collectively the timeline of the capsule’s actions from January 12, when it was packaged for transport, to February 1, when a restoration workforce discovered it by the aspect of the highway.

The capsule – simply 8 millimeters by 6 millimeters – was utilized in a density gauge fitted to a pipe at Rio Tinto’s Gudai-Darri iron ore mine to measure the move of fabric via the feeder.

A extremely radioactive capsule that went lacking in a distant area of Western Australia’s outback has been discovered after a search spanning lots of of kilometres. (WA DFES)

Rio Tinto mentioned in an announcement on Monday the capsule was packaged for transit to Perth, 1,400 kilometers, with its presence contained in the bundle confirmed by a Geiger counter earlier than it was transported by a third-party contractor.

Normally, the journey would take greater than 12 hours by highway, however roughly two hours in, the capsule exited the car because it traveled south, and in some way crossed one lane of site visitors, to finish up two meters from the northbound aspect of the two-lane freeway.

Lauren Steen, basic supervisor of Radiation Services WA, a consultancy that writes radiation administration plans, mentioned business insiders have been simply as baffled as the general public once they heard the capsule was lacking.

A tiny radioactive capsule has been lost between a mine in Western Australia's Pilbara region and Perth, sparking an urgent hazmat health warning. — The tiny radioactive capsule was misplaced between a mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara area and Perth. (Supplied)

“The whole team were scratching our head. We couldn’t figure out what had happened,” mentioned Steen, whose firm was not concerned in its disappearance.

“If the source had been placed in a certified package and transported under all of the requirements of the code of practice, then it’s an extremely unlikely event – one-in-a-million,” she mentioned.

How was the capsule misplaced?

The truck regarded as carrying the capsule arrived in Perth on January 16, 4 days after its departure from the Gudai-Darri iron ore mine.

But it wasn’t till January 25, when staff from SGS Australia went to unpack the gauge for inspection, that it was found lacking.

In an announcement, SGS Australia mentioned it had been employed by Rio Tinto to bundle the capsule nevertheless it had nothing to do with its transportation, which was carried out by a “specialist transporter.”

“We performed the contracted service to package the equipment at the mine site and unpackage it following transportation using qualified personnel for our customer in accordance with all standards and regulations,” it mentioned.

“The transportation of the package, organized by our client and delegated to a specialist transporter, was not within the scope of SGS services.

Crews from the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services search for a radioactive capsule believed to have fallen off a truck being transported on a freight route on the outskirts of Perth. (AP)

“Our personnel seen the lack of the supply at our Perth laboratory when opening the bundle and reported this incident instantly.”

The name of the company contracted to transport the package has not been released.

The missing capsule triggered a six-day search along a stretch of the Great Northern Highway.

Then on Wednesday morning, a car fitted with special equipment traveling south of the small town of Newman detected a higher radiation reading.

Handheld devices were then used to hone in on the capsule nestled in the dirt.

What are the rules for moving radioactive substances?

In Australia, each state has its own laws regarding the handling of radioactive substances and codes of practice that comply with guidelines set by the Australian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), a government body that works closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and World Health Organization (WHO).

In Western Australia, the rules are governed by the Radiation Safety Act 1975, which Steen says is well overdue for review.

The capsule - just 8 millimeters by 6 millimeters - was used in a density gauge fitted to a pipe at Rio Tinto's Gudai-Darri iron ore mine — The capsule – just 8 millimeters by 6 millimeters – was used in a density gauge fitted to a pipe at Rio Tinto’s Gudai-Darri iron ore mine (RioTinto)

“It hasn’t been rewritten because the 70s, so I feel that sort of speaks for itself,” she said.

Steen said over the decades technological advancements had made the use of radiation sources within mining equipment much safer – and because it was safer, devices were being used more frequently.

Under the Radiation Safety Act 1975, only specially trained and licensed operators can package radioactive substances, but different rules apply to contractors hired to transport it, Steen said.

“Any transport firm can transport radioactive materials offered they have the license to take action,” she said.

Under the act that license can be obtained by attending a one-day course and passing a test certified and approved by the regulator.

Discussion has already started about the need for tougher penalties – in WA, mishandling radioactive substances carries a fine of just $1,000 – a figure described as “ridiculously low” by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to reporters on Wednesday. (AP)

The licensee must have oversight of a transportation plan submitted to the regulator but does not have to supervise the journey in person. There are no rules about the type of vehicles used for transport.

Steen says clearly something went wrong – and she hopes the results of the investigation will be shared with the radiation community so they can avoid such issues in future.

Discussion has already started about the need for tougher penalties – in WA, mishandling radioactive substances carries a fine of just $1,000 – a figure described as “ridiculously low” by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to reporters on Wednesday.

Did missing bolts allow it to escape?

The rules around packaging radiation sources depend on how much radiation they emit. In some cases, the device could be encased in three layers.

In the case of the capsule, the gauge could be considered one layer of protection before it was placed into an “overpack,” a container that was likely bolted shut.

In a statement, DFES said when the package was opened the gauge was found to be broken, with one of the four mounting bolts missing.

Referring to the capsule, the statement added, “the supply itself and all screws on the gauge have been additionally lacking.”

One theory investigators may examine is if the gauge broke and the capsule fell out of the overpack through a hole used to secure the lid.

It’s expected to be several weeks before the Radiological Council submits its report to the WA health minister.

How ANSTO found the radioactive capsule in Western Australia. — On Thursday, relieved DFES officials released new images of the capsule being taken to Perth where it will be safely held in a facility. (ANSTO)

Meanwhile, Rio Tinto is carrying out its own investigation.

CEO Simon Trott said the company would be willing to reimburse the government for costs associated with the search – if requested.

WA Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the offer was appreciated but the government would wait for the outcome of the investigation to apportion blame.

He said he didn’t know how much the search had cost but at least 100 people were involved including police, firefighters, health department and defence force personnel.

Staff from the National Emergency Management Agency, the Australian Nuclear and Science Technology Organization and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency also took part.

On Thursday, relieved DFES officials released new images of the capsule being taken to Perth where it will be safely held in a facility.