Other Radiation Accidents
Radioactive materials are widely used in medicine, industry,
agriculture and research. Despite efforts to ensure safety,
accidents do happen.
In Goiania, Brazil, a cancer treatment machine containing
intensely radioactive material was abandoned in a derelict
building. Parts of the machine were broken up for scrap and
radioactive material was spread widely around the city. Four people
were killed and 24 others received radiation burns.
With radioactive materials being widely used, it is sometimes
difficult to have formal emergency plans like those for nuclear
accidents. There are arrangements to give the police scientific
help when an incident occurs (these are called NAIR, National
Arrangements for Incidents involving Radioactivity). The help comes
from hospitals, and defence and nuclear sites.