10 grams of Iridium 192 stolen in Iraq

[Edont Knoff]

10 grams of a highly radioactive isotope of Iridium were stolen in Iraq:

The material is classed as a Category 2 radioactive by the International Atomic Energy Agency - meaning it can be fatal to anyone in close proximity to it in a matter of days or even hours.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...clear-dirty-bomb-iraq-oil-field-a6879481.html

We don't need more radioactive pollution, do we? Why is such a substance and in this amount, not better guarded? I have a source that says the substance was used to detect problems in oil pipelines.

Mit dem von der Firma SGS Turkey vermieteten Isotop suchte das US-Unternehmen Weatherford Materialfehler in Ölleitungen. Beide Firmen schweigen bislang zu den Vorwürfen.

http://www.heise.de/tp/artikel/47/47446/1.html

Translation attempt, "With the substance, leased from SGS Turkey by the US company Weatherford, oil pipelines were scanned for material defects. Both companies remain silent about the accusations."

 

[joepistole]

10 grams of a highly radioactive isotope of Iridium were stolen in Iraq:



http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...clear-dirty-bomb-iraq-oil-field-a6879481.html

We don't need more radioactive pollution, do we? Why is such a substance and in this amount, not better guarded? I have a source that says the substance was used to detect problems in oil pipelines.



http://www.heise.de/tp/artikel/47/47446/1.html

Translation attempt, "With the substance, leased from SGS Turkey by the US company Weatherford, oil pipelines were scanned for material defects. Both companies remain silent about the accusations."

Well, given the half life of radioactive Iridium is only 74 days and the small amount involved, I don't think we have much to worry about in this particular case. It's probably more of a hazard to those who stole it. But that isn't a reason to ignore safety and security standards.