In Thailand, authorities are searching for a container of dangerous, radioactive contents that disappeared from a coal-fired power plant earlier this week.
The authorities are warning the population of serious health risks if they come across the container.
The container is around 30 cm long and 13 cm wide, and was part of a silo containing the radioactive substance cesium-137, writes CNN.
During a routine check on 10 March, the container was reported missing. The coal-fired power plant is located in the province of Prachinburi in Thailand.
A search team and drones are working to find the missing container. Among other things, they use technology that can track down radioactive material.
Risk to people
The police in Thailand are also involved in the search. They fear the container may have been missing since February.
Police Chief Mongkol Thopao tells CNN that it is unclear whether the container was stolen and sold, or misplaced.
CNN quotes experts who warn that cesium-137 is very dangerous. People who come close can get burns, radiation sicknessradiation sicknessRadiation syndrome is a complex picture of symptoms that occur after large parts of the body are exposed to moderate to high doses of ionizing radiation. If an adult is exposed to more than two grays (Gy) to the whole body, he will experience pronounced nausea and vomiting after a few hours. Source: Major medical encyclopedias. or cancer.
The radioactive substance has a half-life of around 30 years.
Thus, the container may pose a risk for decades to come if it is not found, writes CNN.
Not the first time
This is not the first time something like this has happened in Thailand.
In 2000, a container containing cobalt-60 disappeared. This was bought and taken to a rubbish dump where it was cut up.
CNN writes that some workers suffered burns, several suffered radiation damage and three people died.
Almost 2,000 people living in the area were exposed to radiation.
The container that is now missing must not contain as strong radioactive material.
