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It's hard to believe that the truck was carrying 2 kilograms. According to the Radiological Health Handbook (1970) US Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Public Health Service Publication, the specific activity of 1 gram of Iodine-131 equals 1.25 E05 Curies (4.625 E15 Bq). 2 Kilograms would equal 9.25 E21 Bq. Where was it produced and could they shield that much activity? Also what hospital could use that much. It takes only about 100 millicuries (3.7 E09 Bq) for a therapeutic procedure.
The news media should get their act together.
The last statement is my own personal opinion, not that of this Agency!!!
Edmond J. Baratta Radiation Safety Officer Tel. No. 781-729-5700, ext 728 FAX: 781-729-3593
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A colleague here was stuck in that traffic jam yesterday morning on his way to Montreal, and another colleague sent this news story....
Jaro
Truck carrying radioactive material
ignites on Hwy 10: Transport was headed to Centre de Medecins Nucleaire du
Sherbrooke A tractor-trailer caught fire on Highway 10 early yesterday morning after the brakes jammed on the vehicle transporting hazardous material, according to Surete de Quebec spokesperson Constable Manon Gaignard. The SQ received a call at approximately 4:15 a.m. reporting the accident near Carignan, involving 2 kilograms of radioactive iodine being transported to the Centre de Medecins Nucleaire du Sherbrooke. The substance is used for exams in the department of nuclear medicine to diagnose any malfunctioning of the thyroid glands, said CHUS spokesperson Robert Nadon. The highway was closed for five hours due to the accident, with traffic backed up nearly 10 kilometres, to enable officials from the Minister of Environment to inspect the damage and contact the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. The left lane was closed to traffic until midday yesterday. "The trailer burned completely," said Gaignard. A minor accident occurred on the other side of the road as well, she added, because of curious onlookers watching the blazing truck during rush hour. The immediate report filed by Transport Canada shows that there was no radioactive spill, the material was enclosed in a protective capsule and remained untouched by the flames, explained Michel Cleroux, communications officer for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. |