Brazil’s National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN), affiliated with the Science and Technology Ministry, has issued a public alert following the theft of a pickup truck carrying radioactive material in São Paulo. The incident, involving a private company, occurred a few days ago.
The stolen material was securely packaged in lead containers to prevent environmental irradiation. However, CNEN warns that improper handling of the material poses significant health risks.
Anyone who finds the material should immediately contact CNEN and the police. At the time of the theft, the vehicle and packaging were clearly marked with the international symbol for ionizing radiation. The Civil Police are actively investigating the case.
Medical Armazenagem Logística e Distribuição Ltda, the company responsible for the material, reported that five packages were stolen. According to the driver, the vehicle was parked in front of his residence, in violation of safety monitoring standards.
The incident brings to mind the 1987 Cesium-137 accident in Goiânia, the largest radiological accident in Brazil’s history. A radiotherapy device abandoned in a scrapyard was tampered with, leading to widespread contamination. Initially, 249 people were significantly affected, with official reports confirming four deaths, although state prosecutors claimed there were at least 66.
The cleanup of 19 grams of concentrated cesium resulted in 40,000 tons of waste. CNEN had to implement extensive protocols to isolate contaminated materials and treat affected individuals.
There is still no public information on the level of radioactivity of the materials stolen in São Paulo.
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