The Untold Story of the Radiological Accident in Leah, Georgia

🔍The abandoned RTGs, containing strontium-90, emitted dangerous levels of radiation.

⏰The men who found the RTGs suffered from severe radiation sickness and had to spend years in hospitals.

🚔The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assisted in recovering and safely storing the orphaned RTGs.

🛡️Proper training and adherence to safety principles, such as time, distance, and shielding, were crucial during the recovery operation.

🌍Orphaned radioactive sources continue to pose a significant radiological threat worldwide.

What are radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs)?

—RTGs are devices that generate electricity through the radioactive decay of isotopes. They are commonly used in remote or extreme environments.

What were the consequences of the men's exposure to the RTGs?

—The men suffered from severe radiation sickness, with symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, dizziness, and headaches. One of them eventually died.

How did the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assist in the recovery?

—The IAEA provided training, equipment, and technical expertise to safely recover and store the orphaned RTGs.

What safety principles were followed during the recovery operation?

—The operation strictly adhered to the principles of time, distance, and shielding, ensuring minimal radiation exposure for the recovery workers.

What is the ongoing concern with orphaned radioactive sources?

—Orphaned sources continue to pose a radiological threat as they can be improperly handled or controlled, causing harm to individuals and the environment.

00:00In December 2001, three men discovered abandoned RTGs in the forest near Leah, Georgia.

02:30The men used the devices as personal heaters but ended up hospitalized due to severe radiation sickness.

06:04The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assisted in the recovery and safe storage of the orphaned RTGs.

08:29The recovery operation followed strict safety principles of time, distance, and shielding to protect the workers.

12:20Orphaned radioactive sources, like the abandoned RTGs, continue to pose a radiological threat worldwide.