A passerby who saw the device notified the police late last night, who in turn informed the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR).
FANR officials could confirm on the spot, in the town of Al Rahba, 30 km northeast Abu Dhabi, that the device was not damaged or tampered with. They also found no traces of radioactive contamination following measurements with specific equipment.
The device contained an Iridium (Ir-192) source used for industrial radiography, to take special pictures in order to check the welding on metal components.
“This case thankfully had a happy end, without anyone being hurt,” said Dr John Loy, Director of FANR Radiation Safety Department.
“But it showed vulnerabilities on the part of our licensees in securing radioactive sources, and we will look into that. It also showed how closely local and federal authorities must work together.”
The cooperation among the Ministry of Interior, especially the concerned departments of the General Headquarters of Abu Dhabi Police, Health Authority – Abu Dhabi, the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), the Armed Forces, FANR and the company that owns the source should be commended, he added.
