The term given to any kind of object or component containing radioactive material that was once part of medical equipment (radiotherapy machine), a scientific research instrument or bacterial irradiation device. Usually found in capsule form. Very dangerous as people may not know what it is and end up exposing themselves and others to the radioactive material within.
The Goiânia incident and lia radiological incident are classic examples of finding an orphan source and not knowing the dangers. In the lia incident, people found a metal cylinder that was emitting heat and slept beside it to keep warm, not knowing they were bathing themselves in deadly radiation. Don’t look it up as the photos showing the effects of the radiation are quite gruesome. Other examples are radioisotope thermoelectric generators left over from the soviet era that power lighthouses and navigation beacons. People have been known to break open the capsule to steal any metals worth selling and just leaving the broken capsule leaking radioactive material.
by spin1038airbusappleboeing June 23, 2025