The trailer that flipped. Photo courtesy Swift Current Fire Department, Facebook.
Cameco and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission say there is no risk to the public or the environment after a truck carrying uranium powder rolled in southwestern Saskatchewan.
The flatbed truck was hauling a shipping container with 63 drums of yellowcake when it rolled Monday on Highway 4, about 10 kilometres north of Swift Current.
The uranium was produced by a company in Australia and was en route to Cameco’s refinery in Blind River, Ont.
Cameco spokesman Rob Gereghty says it’s not clear if any of the yellowcake spilled and, if it did, whether the product was confined to the shipping container.
Gereghty describes the uranium powder as having the consistency of dense sand and he says it would be easy to clean up.
He says any risk would come from inhaling or ingesting it, but he adds that people would have to be very close to have that happen.
(The Canadian Press)