Missing substances – The John Frost School
Posted on Wednesday 28th March 2018
Multi-agency statement issued by:
Newport City Council (lead organisation)
Gwent Police
Natural Resources Wales
Public Health Wales
Public Health England (remit for radioactive)
South Wales Fire and Rescue
Four low-level radioactive sources, used within science lessons, have been reported missing from The John Frost School, Newport.
The items are classed as low risk and do not pose a general risk to people’s health.
The school is working closely with Newport City Council to investigate. All relevant organisations including Gwent Police, Public Health Wales, Natural Resources Wales and South Wales Fire and Rescue have been informed and a joint agency approach has confirmed the low level of risk posed by these sources.
The Health and Safety Executive has also been informed as the regulatory authority.
The majority of secondary schools hold a number of small radioactive sources which are used for teaching students about the properties of radiation and radioactivity.
Pupils do not have access to them nor have direct contact with them as part of lessons. All such handling of the substances is carried out by specially trained staff in a controlled environment.
A search of the premises been carried out and specialist detection equipment has also been used. The items were not found as a result of these searches. Investigations will continue and as the school has had considerable works carried out over the last year, a further in-depth search will be carried out during the Easter holidays.
The sources were stored in lead-lined wooden boxes with radioactive identification labelling. The sources comprise a small cup 1.3cm in diameter by 0.8cm high. The radioactive material is mounted in the back of the cup and protected by a grill at the front. There is a stem attached to assist in holding the source.
As an example, one of the radioactive materials and associated levels are similar to those found in household smoke detectors and do not present a general hazard. If however they are handled directly or kept outside their protective box in close proximity to people, there is a small exposure risk. Around 13 hours of exposure would approximately equate to a single dental x-ray.
A council spokesperson said: “Full assessments have been carried out by the specialist agencies and have confirmed that the missing substances pose little risk to health. However, we are taking the matter very seriously. Further searches will be carried out and a full investigation completed.
“If anyone has any information please contact Gwent Police or Newport City Council.”