Goiânia Cesium-137 accident marks 39 years since radiological disaster

Nearly 39 years after the 1987 Cesium-137 accident in Goiânia, Brazil, the event remains a major international reference for radiological emergencies. The incident began on September 13, 1987, when two scrap metal collectors removed parts of an abandoned radiotherapy machine from the former Instituto Goiano de Radioterapia.

Upon dismantling the equipment, a capsule containing cesium-137 chloride was opened, releasing a highly radioactive powder that emitted a blue glow. This visual characteristic led several individuals, including family members and neighbors, to handle the material. The substance was subsequently spread through direct contact, clothing, and various objects.

The accident resulted in the deaths of four people: Leide das Neves Ferreira, Maria Gabriela Ferreira, Israel Baptista dos Santos, and Admilson Alves de Souza. In total, 249 people were identified as having radioactive contamination, and approximately 112,000 individuals required medical monitoring during the emergency response.