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Taketa City Files Criminal Complaint Over Radioactive Cesium Needle Found in Household Trash

Authorities report no confirmed radiation exposure following the discovery.

Overview

  • The city says the object is believed to be a medical cesium needle typically used in cancer treatment.
  • The item was recovered from an empty beverage can collected as general waste, likely between July and September 2025.
  • Measurements recorded about 25 millimeters in length, 1 millimeter in diameter, roughly 1 gram in weight, and 178 megabecquerels of activity.
  • The city transferred the source to a specialist handling agency in January 2026 for secure management and evaluation.
  • Taketa Police received a complaint alleging a Radioisotope Regulation Act violation by an unidentified party, and officials note no authorized cesium needle users are registered in the city.