The following can be attributed to a spokesperson for the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO):
“The three staff members involved in this morning’s incident have been discharged from hospital and are returning to work.
“Before 8am this morning, a cap came off a pipe resulting in a spill of around 250ml of sodium hydroxide.
“Sodium hydroxide, more commonly known as caustic soda, is not a radioactive substance, but does need to be managed carefully.
“Emergency services attended ANSTO and the three staff members were taken to hospital for observation. They have all now been discharged from hospital and are returning to work.
“The incident occurred in a nuclear medicine manufacturing building that is not associated with the OPAL nuclear reactor.
“ANSTO will be preparing a report on the incident, which will be forwarded to Comcare as the relevant regulator for WHS.”
ANSTO Media Contact: Nick Trainor 0407 078 138