Police block Mexico hospital, 6 may have radiation

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

POLICE BLOCK MEXICO HOSPITAL, 6 MAY HAVE RADIATION

By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON and EMILIO LOPEZ — Dec. 6, 2013 2:17 PM EST

PACHUCA, Mexico (AP) — Federal police blocked access Friday to a central Mexico hospital where six people were reported to have been admitted with radiation exposure.

An official familiar with the case confirmed Mexican media reports that the six have been admitted to the general hospital in the city of Pachuca and may have been exposed to a stolen source of cobalt-60.

The official, who spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to speak to the media, said only one person was dizzy and vomiting, which are symptoms of radiation poisoning.

The atomic energy agency said the cobalt has an activity of 3,000 curries, or Category 1, meaning "it would probably be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period in the range of a few minutes to an hour."

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/police-block-mexico-hospital-6-may-have-radiation

[annabanana]

1. Rachel covered this theft at some length . .

dumb thieves..

[badtoworse]

2. This is similar to trying to steal the copper from an energized power line

It usually doesn't end well.

[Lochloosa]

3. Power lines are aluminum. Cheaper and lighter than copper.

And since the conductors are not insulated, they dissipate heat almost as well as copper.

[badtoworse]

4. That is true, especially at transmission voltages - most are ACSR.

Older lines, especially at distribution voltages or in foreign countries may still use copper.

[backscatter712]

5. I wouldn't want to be those poor bastards...

Radiation poisoning from cobalt-60 is not a nice way to go...

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. I did call it, follow that bouncy ball

Time to go read some Mexican papers though.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Oh and remember the three civilians I told you about?

Guess what? these are NOT the thieves, per Mexican press. I love it that the AP missed that HUGE detail. It is five adults and one minor, and they are likely the family affected when they dragged this metal from the field thinking they could sell it.

http://www.prensaescrita.com/adiario.php?codigo=MEX&pagina=http://www.la-prensa.com.mx

[backscatter712]

11. That makes it even more sad.

Kids being exposed - not good.

In previous incidents, it's been "Look what Dad brought home, it has a pretty blue glow!"

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. I know.

and I almost feel sorry for the personnel at the General Hospital. They do deal with trauma and run of the mill disease ok, often. Rad Sickness, not so much. Thankfully, there is a good thing, exposure seems to be mild, except for one, who is vomiting. What is next? Losing his\her hair? (yes)

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. Update, after observation

They are getting released from the hospital. No sign of the thieves though

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Not the thieves...

http://www.prensaescrita.com/adiario.php?codigo=MEX&pagina=http://www.la-prensa.com.mx

I just wish the AP did a better job

[dionysus]

9. But the article in the OP didn't say the 6 people were the thieves....

boy you sure showed them.

[zappaman]

10. Aye yi yi...

[Brother Buzz]

13. "Forget it, she's rolling"...