Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Canada intercepts radioactive shipping containers

Canada’s Border Services Agency announced it has intercepted and detained 19 shipping containers at its ports of Prince Rupert and Vancouver since early October that it said tested positive for “low levels of man made radiation.”

The CBSA said in a statement that the containers were contaminated with Cobalt-60, a man-made radioactive material that is widely used in medical treatments.

"Our Government continues to work to ensure that Canadians are safe, secure and protected from external threats", said Vic Toews, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety.

The CBSA said it utilizes radiation detection portals, among other technologies at all Canadian ports “at the earliest point of entry.”

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