December 04, 2013

Cobalt 60 (UPDATED)

One of the Brickmuppet's Crack Team of Science Babes takes time to tell us about Cobalt 60:



In 1735 Swedish scientist Eric Brandt determined that the blue tint used in stained glass was a previously unknown element, Cobalt, and not a compound of Bismuth as had been previously supposed. Cobalt is a bluish metal that aside from being quite brittle, has a lot of properties in common with iron. Quite unusually, this includes the fact that it can be magnetized. Cobalt is used for various sensors, and alloys due to its very great temperature stability. Cobalt also has applications in pigments, and lithium ion batteries. However, of primary interest to us today is an unstable isotope of Cobalt, Cobalt 60,

Cobalt 60, is used in food sterilization, radiation therapy and various sensors. It is a powerful gamma emitter with a half life of 5.27 years and is near the top of the IAEA's list of hazardous nuclear wastes. It has been involved in several tragic incidents previously and can be used in a radiological weapon.

In other news, a truck carrying a load of the stuff was just stolen outside of Mexico City. The IAEA is sufficiently concerned that the story has made the papers in India.

Authorities are saying that there is no reason to be alarmed as it is likely that this was a simple theft and the nasty, deadly substance was not intentionally stolen. After all, who in Mexico would want a bunch of materials for a dirty bomb? Indeed, as I typed this news came over the wires that the truck hasd been located abandoned and the container for the cobalt 60 was found nearby so this wouldn't even be a story except for the minor detail that the container for the Co60 was found....empty....yes, empty.

Well then.

UPDATE: The Old Grey Lady is saying that part of the Co60 shipment has been found. Other reports just say the cargo was found. In any event, if the thieves did not have really good radiation suits when they opened the box, they are expected to be dead in 3 days. 

"Science babe" is actually Rikka from Love, Chuunibyou and other Delusions, which I suspect is way more enjoyable than radiological terrorism.

Posted by: The Brickmuppet at 07:30 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 377 words, total size 4 kb.

1 I wonder how much shielding there is on the part that they kept? If there isn't much, then those guys are going to die real soon now. Given that there was a container they didn't keep, that's my bet.

Posted by: Steven Den Beste at Wed Dec 4 19:49:38 2013 (+rSRq)

2 Reports are that the material has been safely recovered and police have refocused their search on dead and/or glowing thieves.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at Wed Dec 4 20:16:51 2013 (PiXy!)

3 I hope none of the cops got hurt.

Posted by: Steven Den Beste at Wed Dec 4 20:39:26 2013 (+rSRq)

4 Oh great!  The next wave of illegal immigrants crossing our southern border will all be Hulks...

Posted by: Siergen at Wed Dec 4 20:40:52 2013 (c2+vA)

5 Cobalt 60?  I thought that was a post-apocalyptic comic by Vaughn Bode'.

Posted by: Mauser at Thu Dec 5 04:51:07 2013 (TJ7ih)

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