Un grupo de empleados de la planta Circularity, ubicada en el sur de Río Cuarto (Córdoba), found a depleted uranium bar among the material they were sorting. The object had the words “Caution, radioactive material. Depleted uranium” engraved on it.
The discovery occurred around 7 PM and immediately alerted the authorities, who deployed a security operation involving firefighters, Civil Defense, Police, and the High-Risk Units Department (DUAR).
Security Measures
The authorities arranged:
- Preventive evacuation of nearby residents.
- Closure of vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the area.
- Isolation of plant employees.
The operation extended into the early morning and included specialists from the University of Río Cuarto, the Embalse Nuclear Power Plant, and the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN).
Risk Assessment
The measurements taken ruled out immediate danger. Depleted uranium, experts explained, is a byproduct of uranium processing:
- It is used as shielding or counterweight in industries such as aviation and medicine.
- It would only emit low levels of external radiation if worn down, burned, or ingested in powder form.
The municipality confirmed that the object was transferred to the Embalse nuclear power plant and that its origin will continue to be investigated.
Judicial Investigation
The case is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Court of Río Cuarto, led by Carlos Ochoa, and the Penal Secretariat of Lucía Storani. According to the newspaper Puntal, the material may have entered the plant through an urban collector, prompting a trace to determine its route.
The individuals who came into contact with the bar were examined, and no effects were found.
Reactions and Background
The discovery caused a stir due to its similarity to previous radioactive emergencies, such as the Goiana tragedy (Brazil, 1987) with cesium-137, and reignited concern over the recent theft of radioactive material in Rosario.
The CEO of Circularity, Maximiliano Marques, assured that “the verification was perfect” and highlighted that the internal protocol worked correctly. He also announced that the company plans to relocate due to urban growth.
The discovery of the depleted uranium bar in Río Cuarto highlights the importance of having safety and traceability protocols in handling sensitive materials.
Although the radiological risk was ruled out, the episode raises questions about the origin of the object and the need to strengthen controls in the recycling and waste transportation chain.
