Published on the 15th March 2024 by ANSTO Staff
ANSTO and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) have been recognised for their valuable contributions to the search and recovery efforts for a missing 8mm-long radioactive capsule in the Western Australian outback last year, during a special ceremony held this week in Perth at the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services headquarters.
In presenting the Certificate of Appreciation from DFES’ Deputy Commissioner Operations, Craig Waters AFSM acknowledged the work of ANSTO’s Radiation Protection Services, Detecting and Imaging Team, and Work Health and Safety Teams who joined a Commonwealth multi-agency response to assist the WA state authorities with their search along a 1,400km stretch of the Great Northern Highway.
“Finding the capsule in such a short space of time was an extraordinary result – and a terrific example of partner agencies working effectively together regardless of state or national jurisdictions,” Deputy Commissioner Operations, Craig Waters AFSM said.
“While DFES has specialist staff trained in radiation risk, the expertise and equipment provided by Commonwealth agencies such as the Australian Nuclear and Science Technology Organisation, Australian Defence Force and Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency was vital.
“The Certificates of Appreciation were a way to officially say thank you to each agency for their comprehensive work and dedication to recovering the capsule to keep Western Australia safe.”
Manager for ANSTO’s Radiation Protection Services, Andrew Popp said ANSTO was honoured to be recognised for their collaboration with ARPANSA.
“Our teams went above and beyond in their preparation and in hitting the ground running to help our colleagues in DFES with achieving what many thought would be an impossible feat, in such a short turnaround,” Mr Popp said.
“Not to mention the hard work and support of all the other teams behind the scenes, working around the clock and from across the other side of the country, to ensure a comprehensive response for those on the ground.”
Instrumental to the discovery of the lost radioactive capsule was a suite of innovative technologies to pinpoint the exact location of the radiation sources, including ANSTO’s own CORIS360°, the world’s most advanced radiation imaging platform.
The missing source was detected two metres from the roadside, when a modified version of the CORIS360° technology – which was mounted in the back of a 4WD – detected the presence of gamma rays whilst travelling at 70 kilometres per hour.
Read more about the discovery of the missing radioactive capsule here - Radioactive capsule goes missing in Australian outback
