Seattle: 13 exposed to radiation at hazmat incident
KOMO-TV
Fri May 3, 2019
Area: Seattle, Tacoma
SEATTLE, Washington - Thirteen people had to be decontaminated for radiation exposure - and eight of them hospitalized - after a breach of a radioactive substance at the Harborview Medical Center Research and Training Building Thursday night in Seattle's First Hill neighborhood.
Contractors were transporting Caesium-137 near Terrace Street and Terry Avenue when the breach occurred, according to Kristin Tinsley with Seattle Fire.
Hazmat crews were called to the scene and found 13 contract workers, custodial workers and others at the scene tested positive for radiation exposure and needed to undergo decontamination.
While none of the workers showed any symptoms of radiation poisoning, eight of them were checked into nearby Harborview Medical Center for treatment and monitoring, Tinsley said. The other five were cleared to go home. No firefighters or hazmat crews suffered any radiation exposure.
Officials said they have contained the substance to the blocked-off area, meaning there is no danger to the general public. The exposure did not affect Harborview Medical Center.
Caesium-137 is a talcum-power-type[sic] substance used irradiate blood before it is given to patients in blood transfusions.
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