Nuclear agency to inspect Pacific Highway

Australia’s peak nuclear agency is sending experts in radiation protection suits to examine a roadworks site on NSW’s mid-north coast where people have fallen ill.

Five men helping to upgrade the Pacific Highway near Laurieton, south of Port Macquarie, suffered nausea and vomiting on Wednesday after a clay-like substance was dug up.

There were initial fears the substance was radioactive because the site is close to an area where a truck carrying radioactive isotopes crashed in 1980.

An initial investigation on Wednesday revealed no signs of radioactive material, the state government said.

Nonetheless, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) said experts in radiation protection suits will further assess the site on Thursday morning.

“ANSTO can now confirm … it will deploy three experts in radiation protection to Laurieton, to independently assist investigations being undertaken at the site by NSW government agencies,” an ANSTO spokesman said.

The agency dismissed suggestions that the radioactive material carried by the truck in 1980 was connected to the Lucas Heights nuclear facility, in Sydney’s south.

The isotopes were reportedly being driven to Brisbane from where they were to be shipped to the United States.

It is not clear from where they originated.

“ANSTO confirmed that official records show the material was not coming from Lucas Heights, going to Lucas Heights, made in Lucas Heights or using vehicles from Lucas Heights,” the ANSTO spokesman said.

He said Thursday’s examination was a “sensible precautionary measure”, with ANSTO happy to provide assistance and expertise.

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