Lia radiological accident Reddit
The Lia radiological catastrophe began on December 2, 2001, with the discovery of two orphan radiation sources near the Enguri Dam in Georgia’s Tsalenjikha District. Three Lia [ka] villagers were inadvertently exposed. All three guys were hurt, and one of them died as a result. The catastrophe was caused by unlabeled radioisotope thermoelectric generator cores…
The Lia radiological catastrophe began on December 2, 2001, with the discovery of two orphan radiation sources near the Enguri Dam in Georgia’s Tsalenjikha District. Three Lia [ka] villagers were inadvertently exposed.
All three guys were hurt, and one of them died as a result. The catastrophe was caused by unlabeled radioisotope thermoelectric generator cores that were inadequately removed and left over from the Soviet period. The International Atomic Energy Agency oversaw rescue efforts and medical care.
Lia radiological accident Reddit
Three men from Lia (later identified by the IAEA as patients 1-DN, 2-MG, and 3-MB) had driven 45-50 kilometres (28-31 miles) to a forest overlooking the Enguri Dam reservoir to get firewood.
At approximately 6 p.m., they drove up a practically impossible route in icy winter conditions and located two canisters. There was no snow within a 1 m (3.3 ft) radius of the canisters, and the ground was heating. Patient 3-MB took up one of the canisters and dropped it right away since it was really hot.
The guys determined it was too late to go back, and seeing the obvious value of the devices as heat sources, they decided to transfer the sources a short distance and make camp around them.
Patient 3-MB picked up one source with a strong wire and transported it to a rocky outcrop that would afford cover. Patients 3-MB and 2-MG worked together to transfer the second source beneath the outcrop after the other patients began a fire.
They ate supper and drank some vodka while staying near to the sources. Despite the modest amount of vodka consumed, they all vomited shortly afterwards, the first indication of acute radiation sickness (ARS), which occurred roughly three hours after first exposure. Vomiting was intense and persisted all night, resulting in little sleep.
The males utilized the sources to remain warm during the night, putting them against their backs and up to 10 cm away (3.9 in). The sources may have been suspended from the backs of Patients 1-DN and 2-MG when they put wood onto their vehicle the next day.
They were fatigued in the morning and barely loaded half of the wood they had planned. That evening, they returned home.
