3 ms·

"Localised"? Along a route 1400 km long? That's approximately the distance between New York City and Atlanta, GA. Or London, UK to Monaco.

• krisoft 4y ago
  Not in that sense. Localised in the sense that the dangerous zone was limited to a few tens of meters radius, and was unlikely to spread. As opposed to an airborne, or water soluble contamination which can spread to a wide area as the winds or the ground water flows.
  • PeterisP 4y ago
    Given the tiny size of the capsule, it's only dangerous because it's so concentrated. If it would be diluted by spreading to a wide area, it would just slightly raise the background radiation.
  • jon-wood 4y ago
    One of the risks that was believed to exist was that the capsule had fallen onto the road, and could have become embedded in someone's car tire. That would then place the owner of that car within the few tens of meters radius multiple times a day, along with their neighbours, and anyone they park near on a regular basis.