Читать книгу Industrial and Medical Nuclear Accidents - Jean-Claude Amiard - Страница 24

Highly radioactive sources are used for industrial purposes (non-destructive testing, food irradiation, etc.) or medical purposes (radiotherapy, brachytherapy). When these sources are lost, they can be found by the public. Since they are discrete (usually a small plastic cylinder), they can radiate strongly and for a long time, affecting any person in contact with this source, as well as their professional or family entourage. The number of accidents of this type is high, and the number of fatal cases is also relatively high. Among the most serious accidents of this type were those in Mexico City (Mexico) in 1962, Chiba (Japan) in 1971, Algeria in 1978, Brazil in Goiânia in 1987, Istanbul (Turkey) in 1999, Grozny (Russia) in 1999 and Samut Prakan (Thailand) in 2000. Each time several deaths were reported.