A mining corporation has apologised for losing a highly radioactive capsule.
The caesium 137 ceramic source, commonly used in radiation gauges, emits dangerous amounts of radiation, the equivalent of receiving 10 X-rays in an hour.
Prolonged exposure could cause cancer and it may also cause skin burns.
Measuring just 8mm by 6mm, people have been warned it could have become lodged in their car’s tyres.
It was part of a device believed to have fallen off a truck while being transported 870 miles between a desert mine site and Perth, Western Australia.
Emergency services have called on other Australian states and the government for support finding the capsule as they lack equipment needed.
The chief executive of the mining giant Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Simon Trott, said: “This is very concerning and we are sorry for the alarm caused.
“We have launched our own investigation to understand how the capsule was lost in transit.”
Mr Trott said the contractor was qualified to transport the device and it was confirmed as being on the truck by a Geiger counter prior to leaving.
