Stolen radioisotopes pose risk in Mexico

Theft of radioactive material in Mexico has risen over the past decade. The targets of the crimes are typically the vehicles transporting them, not the isotopes themselves. But any mishandling of these substances poses a significant threat to humans, animals, and the environment. That’s the conclusion of a paper published in Crime Prevention and Community Safety that analyzed data from 2011 to 2023 (2024, DOI: 10.1057/s41300-024-00215-6 ). The data were provided by the National Commission for Nuclear Safety and Safeguards (CNSNS), one of the Mexican authorities responsible for monitoring the proper handling of the substances. The authors found 33 cases of theft in the past 12 years and an increasing trend over the period. Of the 10 radioactive isotopes described, the most frequently stolen were iridium-192, iodine-131, and cesium-137. In Mexico the isotopes are used primarily in oil exploration or for medical diagnosis and treatment. Cesium-137 is one of the