Australia's nuclear safety agency, on Tuesday, announced that it was joining the hunt for the small radioactive capsule, which a few days ago went missing in the west of the country.

In a statement, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) said it would work in conjunction with the Western Australia government to locate the capsule.

Watch |&nbsp;Radioactive capsule lost in Western Australia along 1,400 km route, authorities issue health warning

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/radioactive-capsule-lost-in-western-australia-along-1400-km-route-authorities-issue-health-warning-556939/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The capsule which contains Caesium-137, a radioactive material used in mining, as per Reuters, could have gone missing around two weeks ago.

It was reportedly part of a gauge that is used to measure iron ore feed density and had been entrusted to a specialist contractor for transportation.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rio-tinto-issues-apology-for-losing-radioactive-capsule-in-western-australia-557330">Rio Tinto issues apology for losing radioactive capsule in Western Australia</a>

Searching for the lost radioactive material is daunting because the small capsule was lost somewhere along the 1,400-kilometre-long path the truck took.&nbsp;

Finding it along the long path from north of Newman - a small town in the remote Kimberley region - to a storage facility in the northeast suburbs of Perth - a distance longer than the length of Great Britain is nothing short of 'finding a needle in a haystack'.

Authorities have warned that people should not come in contact with the capsule.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/radiation-alert-in-australia-as-hunt-for-lost-caesium-137-mining-capsule-on-how-can-it-hurt-you-556727/amp">Radiation alert in Australia after Caesium-137 capsule goes missing, here's HOW it can hurt you</a>

The public was first alerted about the missing radioactive material on Friday. Announcing it, Western Australia's chief health officer Andrew Robertson had warned, "if you have it long enough near you, it could cause what is known as acute radiation sickness."&nbsp;

Experts have recommended that people should stay at least five metres away from the capsule, which, on an hourly basis, emits beta and gamma rays that have radiation levels equal to about 10 X-Rays.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Australia's nuclear safety agency, on Tuesday, announced that it was joining the hunt for the small radioactive capsule, which a few days ago went missing in the west of the country.

Australia's nuclear safety agency, on Tuesday, announced that it was joining the hunt for the small radioactive capsule, which a few days ago went missing in the west of the country. In a statement, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) said it would work in conjunction with the Western Australia government to locate the capsule. Watch | Radioactive capsule lost in Western Australia along 1,400 km route, authorities issue health warning The capsule which contains Caesium-137, a radioactive material used in mining, as per Reuters, could have gone missing around two weeks ago. It was reportedly part of a gauge that is used to measure iron ore feed density and had been entrusted to a specialist contractor for transportation. Also read | Rio Tinto issues apology for losing radioactive capsule in Western Australia Searching for the lost radioactive material is daunting because the small capsule was lost somewhere along the 1,400-kilometre-long path the truck took. Finding it along the long path from north of Newman - a small town in the remote Kimberley region - to a storage facility in the northeast suburbs of Perth - a distance longer than the length of Great Britain is nothing short of 'finding a needle in a haystack'. Authorities have warned that people should not come in contact with the capsule. Also read | Radiation alert in Australia after Caesium-137 capsule goes missing, here's HOW it can hurt you The public was first alerted about the missing radioactive material on Friday. Announcing it, Western Australia's chief health officer Andrew Robertson had warned, "if you have it long enough near you, it could cause what is known as acute radiation sickness." Experts have recommended that people should stay at least five metres away from the capsule, which, on an hourly basis, emits beta and gamma rays that have radiation levels equal to about 10 X-Rays. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australia's nuclear safety agency joins the hunt for missing radioactive capsule

caesium-137

Caesium 137, News on Caesium 137, stories on Caesium 137, articles on Caesium 137, Caesium 137 stories at Wion, Caesium 137 news, Caesium 137 latest news

caesium 137

Australia's nuclear safety agency joins the hunt for missing radioactive capsule