[imagesource:jpsmith/facebook]

Radioactive materials in South Africa are being lost at the same rate as car keys after yet another canister of hazardous radioactive material was found at a scrapyard in Beaconvale.

Not wanting to turn into glowsticks, the employees called the City of Cape Town control room, who immediately dispatched Fire and Rescue Hazmat teams to the location.

Upon arrival, Fire and Rescue personnel followed the proper protocols for dealing with radioactive materials. They were able to approach and assess the potential risk thanks to remote-controlled sensor technology. Picking up high levels of gamma rays, the contents were confirmed as Iridium 192, a manmade isotope of Iridium, a component commonly used in gauges for industrial radiography, to detect flaws in metal components.

Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith said on Facebook that ‘SAPS Bomb Squad was also brought to the scene. With firefighters well prepared for any sort of nuclear disaster incident, they used a variety of equipment to safeguard the scene and to identify the radioactive material.’

Iridium 192 is believed to become harmless after around 150 days, but still requires the correct methods of disposal, as regulated.

“At this moment, the protective lead casing of the fuel rods has been confirmed as breached and is emitting high levels of radiation. SAPS and Nersa are on scene and will attempt to locate the original source of the radio-active fuel rods, using the serial numbers attached.”

The scene has been made safe and the radio-active material secured.

Meanwhile, Chief Fire Officer Clinton Manuel expressed his appreciation for the professional manner in which the firefighter hazmat technicians responded and handled the situation.

“We are extremely fortunate to have a municipal Fire and Rescue service that is so well equipped and that has regularly invested in the required specialized training and skills.  Their professionalism displayed, using their equipment, technology and training, allows every resident to rest assured, Cape Town really is the best Fire and Rescue Service in South Africa.”

“Our service responds to a wide variety of emergency situations every single day, but nothing can be more harrowing, having to respond to a call of exposed nuclear radioactive waste.”

As yet, there has been no word on who the dumbasses were that dumped radioactive waste at a scrapyard.

[source:capetownetc]