O MAIOR DESASTRE RADIOATIVO DA HISTÓRIA DO BRASIL - Nostalgia Animado

Summary

In this video, Felipe Castanhari recounts the tragic story of the Goiânia Radiological Accident of 1987, one of Brazil's worst nuclear disasters. Waste pickers unknowingly dismantled a radiotherapy device containing Cesium-137, spreading radioactive contamination throughout the city. The incident led to several deaths, including that of a young girl, and exposed over a thousand people to dangerous radiation levels. Castanhari explains the science behind the disaster, the government's response, and its lasting impact on Goiânia's residents, all while urging viewers to support his channel.

Takeaways

• 💥 The Goiânia radiologic accident occurred in 1987 when two waste pickers found an abandoned machine containing Cesium-137 in an old clinic.
• ⚠️ Wagner and Roberto dismantled the machine, unaware it contained highly radioactive material, leading to severe health issues for them and others.
• 🔵 The Cesium-137 material glowed blue in the dark, fascinating the junkyard owner, Devair, who shared it with others, spreading contamination.
• 👧 One of the most tragic victims was a 6-year-old girl named Leide, who unknowingly ingested the radioactive substance, resulting in her death.
• 🏥 Symptoms of radiation exposure included nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and internal bleeding, affecting not just the waste pickers but many others in the city.
• 🌍 The accident was classified as a level 5 event on the International Nuclear Accident Scale, marking it as one of the most severe nuclear disasters outside a power plant.
• 🚨 Over 112,000 people were screened, and several areas in Goiânia were evacuated due to widespread contamination.
• ⚖️ The case led to the conviction of doctors and a physicist from the radiotherapy clinic for manslaughter, but their sentences were later pardoned.
• 📦 Cesium-137 remnants, along with 6,000 tons of contaminated material, are now buried in concrete boxes near Goiânia.
• 😨 Despite assurances of safety, many people in the area still live in fear of radiation, given the scale of the disaster and its lingering effects.

Q & A

What was the Radiologic Accident in Goiânia and when did it occur?

The Radiologic Accident in Goiânia occurred in 1987 when two waste pickers found a radiotherapy device containing Cesium-137 in an abandoned clinic. This led to one of the worst nuclear accidents in Brazil's history.

Why did the waste pickers dismantle the radiotherapy device?

The waste pickers dismantled the radiotherapy device thinking it contained valuable materials, such as steel and lead, which they intended to sell for profit.

What substance did the waste pickers and junkyard workers find in the radiotherapy device?

Inside the radiotherapy device, they found a capsule containing 93 grams of Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope that emits dangerous beta particles and gamma rays.

What made the Cesium-137 capsule particularly dangerous?

Cesium-137 emits beta particles, which can penetrate human tissue, and gamma rays, which are even more harmful as they pass through the body, causing severe internal damage.

What were the immediate symptoms experienced by those exposed to the radioactive material?

People exposed to the radioactive Cesium-137 experienced symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness. These symptoms started within days of exposure.

How did the discovery of Cesium-137 affect the broader community in Goiânia?

The radiation spread to different areas in Goiânia after contaminated people shared the Cesium-137 with others. As a result, seven areas had to be evacuated, and over 112,000 people were screened for contamination.

How many official victims were there in the Goiânia accident, and what were their causes of death?

There were four official victims, including two junkyard workers, the junkyard owner’s wife, and a six-year-old girl. They all died from internal damage caused by exposure to high doses of radiation.

What long-term health effects did the radiation exposure have on survivors?

Many survivors suffered from long-term health issues, including cancer and organ damage, due to radiation exposure. Additionally, over 100 people are believed to have died from related causes in the years following the accident.

How did the government and authorities handle the aftermath of the accident?

The government initially hid the cause of the accident and screened thousands of people without providing clear information. In 1996, those responsible for abandoning the device were convicted of manslaughter but were later pardoned in 1998.

What precautions were taken to prevent further contamination from the Cesium-137?

The Cesium-137 tailings, along with 6,000 tons of contaminated material, were buried in two concrete boxes in the Goiânia region to prevent further radiation exposure.

Outlines

00:00

📜 The Beginning of the Goiânia Radiation Disaster

In September 1987, waste pickers Wagner and Roberto found an abandoned radiotherapy device in a closed clinic in Goiânia, Brazil. Believing it was valuable, they took it home to dismantle, unknowingly exposing themselves to radioactive material. This incident would spiral into one of the largest non-nuclear plant-related radiation disasters in the world. The International Scale of Nuclear Accidents classified it as a level five disaster. In the aftermath, people across the country were reminded of the dangers of radiation, particularly since it followed the Chernobyl disaster.

05:05

☢️ The Deadly Discovery of Cesium-137

As Wagner and Roberto dismantled the device, they suffered from early symptoms of radiation poisoning, such as nausea and dizziness. After selling parts of the machine to a junkyard owner named Devair, the discovery of a glowing capsule of Cesium-137 ensued. Mesmerized by its beauty, Devair took it home, sharing it with his family and friends, further spreading the contamination. His six-year-old niece Leide, unknowingly ingested the material. Eventually, radiation symptoms began to manifest in all those exposed, and a deadly chain reaction began in the city.

10:06

⚠️ The Effects of Cesium-137 and the Growing Contamination

Cesium-137, a radioactive by-product of uranium or plutonium fission, emits beta particles and later turns into Barium-137, which releases even more dangerous gamma rays. The contamination spread through Goiânia as more people came into contact with the radioactive material. Seven areas had to be evacuated, and over 112,000 residents were screened for radiation. Ultimately, 129 people were found to be seriously contaminated. The government, however, initially concealed the true nature of the crisis, leading to confusion and panic.

💀 Victims of the Goiânia Accident and Radiation's Devastating Impact

The accident officially claimed four lives: Israel and Admilson (junkyard workers), Maria Gabriela (Devair's wife), and Leide (Devair's niece). All were exposed to dangerously high radiation levels. Leide's death, in particular, highlighted the personal tragedies, as she suffered from severe radiation sickness and was isolated out of fear. In addition to the official victims, over a hundred others later died due to radiation exposure, including Devair himself. The accident also resulted in widespread fear and prejudice against those affected by the disaster, deeply impacting the community.

⚖️ Legal Consequences and Long-Term Aftermath

In 1996, three doctors and a physicist linked to the Radiotherapy Institute of Goiânia were convicted of manslaughter, as they had abandoned the radioactive device in the clinic. However, the sentences were pardoned by President Fernando Henrique Cardoso in 1998. Today, the remains of the Cesium-137, along with contaminated material, are buried in secure concrete boxes. Despite reassurances from scientists that there is no longer a contamination risk, fear remains high among locals. The psychological impact of the accident lingers in the region.

📱 Stay Connected for More Content

Felipe Castanhari closes the video by encouraging viewers to follow him on Instagram for additional content and updates not shared on YouTube. He also promotes other videos on related topics, such as the effects of atomic bombs and the global garbage problem. He thanks his supporters and invites viewers to subscribe for future content.

Keywords

💡Cesium-137

Cesium-137 is a radioactive isotope that is highly unstable and emits radiation, specifically beta particles and gamma rays. In the context of the video, it is central to the Goiânia accident, where exposure to Cesium-137 caused severe health effects, including radiation sickness and death. This substance, discovered in a dismantled radiotherapy device, caused a widespread nuclear contamination in the city of Goiânia.

💡Radiologic Accident

A radiologic accident refers to an unintended release of radioactive materials that results in harmful exposure to humans and the environment. The Goiânia incident, as explained in the video, is one of the most significant radiologic accidents in history outside a nuclear power plant, leading to the contamination of over 1000 people. This term encapsulates the severity of the event and its far-reaching consequences.

💡Gamma Rays

Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation that can penetrate through the human body and cause serious biological damage. In the video, Cesium-137 emits gamma rays after releasing beta particles, which contributed to the severe health issues faced by the victims of the Goiânia disaster. Gamma rays are more dangerous than beta particles as they pass through the body entirely.

💡Beta Particles

Beta particles are high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons emitted by certain radioactive nuclei, such as Cesium-137. In the Goiânia accident, exposure to beta particles from the Cesium-137 capsule led to acute radiation sickness in those who handled it. Beta particles can penetrate the body and damage tissues and cells, as mentioned in the video when describing the victims' symptoms.

💡Radiotherapy Device

A radiotherapy device is a medical machine used to treat cancer through the use of ionizing radiation. In the video, the abandoned radiotherapy device containing Cesium-137 was left behind in a clinic, eventually leading to the Goiânia disaster. The waste pickers, unaware of its dangers, dismantled it, which led to the radioactive contamination.

💡Radiation Sickness

Radiation sickness, or acute radiation syndrome, results from exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation. In the Goiânia incident, many victims experienced symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and internal bleeding, as described in the video. These symptoms are caused by the damage radiation inflicts on living tissues, especially when exposed to levels above 1 gray.

💡Gray (Gy)

Gray (Gy) is a unit of measurement that quantifies the absorbed dose of radiation energy by a material or biological tissue. In the video, victims of the Goiânia accident were exposed to several grays of radiation, with some receiving fatal doses (above 4 grays). For instance, Israel, Admilson, and Leide were exposed to 5 to 6 grays, which led to severe internal damage and death.

💡Contamination

Contamination refers to the presence of harmful radioactive substances in an environment. In the Goiânia accident, Cesium-137 dust spread across several areas in the city, contaminating homes, junkyards, and people. The video details how radiation spread to at least seven areas in Goiânia, resulting in large-scale evacuations and decontamination efforts.

💡Prejudice

Prejudice in the context of the video refers to the social discrimination faced by the victims of the Goiânia disaster. Those affected by radiation were ostracized by the rest of the community, with residents of unaffected areas distancing themselves from contaminated individuals. The fear of radiation, even when people were no longer contaminated, caused long-lasting social exclusion.

💡Manslaughter

Manslaughter is a legal term for the unintentional killing of a person. In the Goiânia case, as explained in the video, three doctors and a physicist were convicted of manslaughter for their role in abandoning the radiotherapy device that led to the contamination and deaths. Although there was no intent to harm, their negligence resulted in a major disaster.

Highlights

The discovery of the abandoned machine in a clinic by waste pickers Wagner and Roberto in Goiânia, 1987, which set the stage for a major radiological accident.

Wagner and Roberto dismantled the machine at Roberto's house, unaware it contained a highly dangerous radioactive substance, Cesium-137.

After dismantling the machine, both men suffered nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea, unknowingly being exposed to high levels of radiation.

The radioactive capsule containing Cesium-137, found by junkyard owner Devair, emitted a mysterious blue glow, which fascinated him and others in the neighborhood.

Devair brought the Cesium-137 home, unknowingly spreading radiation, leading to widespread exposure among his family and neighbors.

Leide, a six-year-old girl, tragically became one of the most famous victims after ingesting Cesium-137, which caused severe radiation sickness.

The spread of radiation from the Cesium-137 capsule led to the contamination of seven areas in Goiânia, requiring evacuation and health screenings for over 112,000 people.

More than 129 residents of Goiânia were seriously contaminated, with 4 people officially recognized as fatalities from the radiation exposure.

The health effects of Cesium-137 exposure included internal bleeding, organ damage, hair loss, and death, with victims suffering in isolation due to fears of contagion.

Leide's burial in a sealed lead coffin, and the use of a crane to lower her into the ground, demonstrated the extreme precautions taken due to radiation fears.

Despite only four official victims, over 100 people are estimated to have died from radiation-related complications in the years following the accident.

The Goiânia accident ranks as a Level 5 on the International Nuclear Accident Scale, making it one of the largest non-nuclear power plant disasters.

The government initially hid the cause of the accident, contributing to widespread fear and confusion during the response efforts.

In 1996, doctors and a physicist linked to the clinic were convicted of manslaughter for negligence, but their sentences were later overturned by a presidential pardon.

The radioactive waste from the Cesium-137 accident is now buried in concrete containers, with ongoing monitoring by the Center-West Regional Center for Nuclear Sciences.

Transcripts

Goiânia, September 13th, 1987.

Waste pickers Wagner and Roberto

search throgh stuff in an abandoned downtown clinic

in search of any valuable item.

At the site, they find an abandoned machine made of steel and lead.

Certain that they’d hit the jackpot,

they carry the device to Roberto's house

and begin to dismantle it in order to sell the pieces separately.

Little did they know of the nightmare to come.

This is how one of the greatest tragedies involving radiation in our country's history began:

the Radiologic Accident in Goiânia.

Hi, my dear friends, you all right?

I'm Felipe Castanhari

and today I'm going to tell a story that seems to have come straight out of a horror movie.

I'm talking about the terrible story of Cesium-137,

which took place here in Brazil, in the 80's.

This is one of the biggest nuclear disasters that've happened outside a nuclear power plant.

Just so you know, on the International Scale of Nuclear Accidents,

which goes from zero to seven,

the case of Cesium-137 is considered a level five,

that means it’s an accident with far-reaching consequences.

This accident left the whole country aware

since it happened a year and a half after

the tragic Chernobyl disaster,

which I've already told it’s story and I'll leave the link here in the description.

By the way, I already wanted to ask you to leave your likes down here,

subscribe to the channel

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It involves a lot of people.

So if you can help me, become a member by clicking on the link,

I'll leave it in the description.

Special thanks to all the Super Sayajin 3 members

who made this video possible along with all the other members...

The names of these wonderful members are here,

thank you so much beautiful and wonderful people!

Thanks to everyone for their support and now we are going to tell

the story of the worst nuclear accident that has ever happened in the history of Brazil.

The before mentioned building had been used by the Radiotherapy Institute of Goiania,

which specializes in cancer treatments.

The clinic had been shut down two years earlier, in 1985,

but a radiotherapy device - a treatment that uses ionizing radiation,

so it has enough energy to change the structure of atoms,

tearing off one or more of its electrons - ended up being left behind.

They just forgot it there, as if it were an old projector.

And it was precisely this device

that the waste pickers dismantled in Roberto's house.

Two days after starting doing that,

the two were already suffering from nausea, dizziness and diarrhea.

They had no idea that the radiotherapy device

was largely responsible for causing all these symptoms,

so they continued to poke around in it.

After five days in contact with the device,

they sold what was left of it all to Devair,

the owner of a junkyard in the city.

He immediately sent two of his employees, Israel and Admilson,

to finish the machine in search of valuable parts.

Inside the device,

they found a capsule with 93 grams of a white powder,

similar to ordinary table salt,

that glowed bluish in the dark.

Enchanted by the object's brightness, Devair made the worst imaginable decision:

he took the substance home, in order to show it to his wife, Maria Gabriela.

And the story only gets worse:

soon neighbors and friends started visiting just to see the shiny capsule from close.

One of these people was Devair's brother Ivo,

who took some of the dust and took it home.

During dinner he introduced the peculiar object to his family.

His six-year-old daughter Leide

even ended up ingesting some of the substance without noticing,

as her hands were contaminated with radioactive material.

Within a few days,

all these people began to show the same symptoms as the waste pickers,

such as dizziness, vomiting and feeling weak.

Two weeks later, Maria Gabriela, Devair's wife,

became suspicious that the substance had something to do with these problems

and took the capsule to Health Surveillance.

There it was discovered that the capsule contained a radioactive isotope of Cesium,

called Cesium-137,

which is a by-product of the fission of uranium or plutonium.

The nuclei of Cesium-137 are highly unstable

and emit a form of radiation known as beta particles,

which can penetrate the human body, causing very serious damage.

But wait on, it's not over yet.

Because in this process of emitting beta particles,

the nucleus of Cesium-137 turns into another radioactive element called Barium-137.

This element emits gamma rays,

which are even more harmful

because they pass through a person's body completely,

causing irreparable damage.

The scientists' first analyzes showed that both the junkyard

and the area of Devair's house had extremely high levels of radiation.

But as Devair had given samples of the cesium to other people,

this radiation spread throughout the city

and seven areas of Goiânia had to be evacuated.

To worsen it all, the government hid the cause of the accident.

More than 112,000 people were taken into the Olympic Stadium,

where they were screened,

without even receiving an exact explanation of what was happening.

This monitoring showed that 129 residents of Goiânia

were seriously contaminated.

To understand a little better what happened to these people,

we need to talk about a unit that measures the amount of radiation absorbed by the body,

called 'gray'.

When you take an x-ray,

you're exposed to a thousandth of a gray, which is a very small thing.

But between 1 and 4 grays, your blood cells start to die,

and being exposed to more than 4 grays can be fatal.

Officially, there are only four victims in the case.

And three of them were directly linked to the junkyard.

Israel and Admilson, the workers who dismantled the radiotherapy device,

and Maria Gabriela, Devair's wife, were exposed to about 5 grays each

and had internal bleeding and respiratory problems before dying.

But the most famous victim in the case was the child Leide, Devair's niece,

who dined with cesium-stained hands.

She was exposed to 6 grays

and suffered kidney and lung damage, internal bleeding and hair loss.

Leide was even isolated in the hospital room,

because the employees were afraid to go near her.

Unfortunately, she didn't resist and ended up dying in the hospital.

After his death, about 2000 people tried to prevent the funeral to take place,

fearing the body would contaminate the cemetery area.

So she ended up being buried in a sealed lead coffin

and carried away by a crane.

However, even if only these four people are considered the official victims

it's estimated that more than a hundred people died in the following years due to radiation.

One of them was Devair himself, who's been exposed to 7 grays and died in 1994

victim of cancer 7 years after being exposed.

Other inhabitants suffered not only serious health problems,

but also a lot of prejudice,

being excluded by the residents of neighborhoods that were not affected.

And as no one wanted to live in the contaminated regions,

several families who lived in these places

have sold their homes for prices far below what they were worth.

The case went to court

and in 1996, three doctors and a physicist linked to the Goianian Radiotherapy Institute,

the clinic that abandoned the device,

were convicted of manslaughter,

when there is no intention of killing.

However, two years later,

the sentences were extinguished by a pardon from President Fernando Henrique Cardoso.

Today, Cesium-137 tailings

are buried in two concrete boxes in the metropolitan region of Goiânia,

along with another 6,000 tons of contaminated material.

That is the site of the Center-West Regional Center for Nuclear Sciences,

which conducts research and monitors the effects of radiation in the area.

Experts guarantee that there is no longer any risk of contamination at the site,

but many people in the area are still very afraid of radiation.

It's understandable.

After all, knowing that a nuclear accident which affected the health of more than 1000 people,

happened right next to your house, is something difficult to forget.

This has been the video explaining the Cesio-137 accident,

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Kisses!