[ RadSafe ] Stolen 'highly radioactive' material finally secured, Mexico says; villagers doubtful

[Harrison - CDPHE, Tony]

HUEYPOXTLA, Mexico — Mexico’s energy authorities say specialists finally
have recovered a capsule of cobalt-60 from a cornfield near the Mexican
capital, presumably ending a nine-day saga that began when thieves hijacked
a truck carrying the highly radioactive metal.

“The source has been recovered and stored ... in a safe place,” the Energy
Department said in a statement late Tuesday night.

The cobalt-60 theft, in the early hours of Dec. 2, sent alarmed officials
scrambling from Mexico City to Washington to Vienna.

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/12/12/21872831-stolen-highly-radioactive-material-finally-secured-mexico-says-villagers-doubtful?lite

“Recovering a source of that level of intensity is not making enchiladas,”
Juan Eibenschutz, executive director of the Nuclear Security and Safeguard
Commission, said in a phone interview Wednesday, referring to the
radioactive metal. “This is a very, very complex operation.”


Tony Harrison, MSPH

Inorganic & Radiochemistry Supervisor

Laboratory Services Division

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

8100 Lowry Blvd.

Denver, CO  80230

303-692-3046 | tony.harrison at state.co.us