The Goiania accident. The abandonment of a radioactive source.

The principal object of this article is the accident of Goiania (Brazil) that occurred in september 1987. Following a theft by persons whom activities are the recovery of materials, handling have led to the release of 137 cesium chloride that was in a radiotherapy apparatus. During the month after the accident more than 200 persons were contaminated, four of them died. The decontamination concerned 4000 m3 of radioactive wastes. The four owners of the hospital were sentenced to three years imprisonment in 1992. This accident, the most important after Chernobyl is detailed. (N.C.)