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Investigators found radioactive substances in Braunschweig (symbol photo)
Photo: Kay Nietfeld / picture-alliance / dpa
After a worker's death threat against his bosses, investigators in Braunschweig seized “radioactive materials and potentially contaminated objects” last week.
Now, after an analysis by the specialist authority NLWKN, it is clear what kind of substances it is.
According to a message from the Lower Saxony Ministry of the Environment in Hanover, the investigators found two vials of the radionuclide nickel-63, an enclosed radiation source and contaminated laboratory equipment.
According to the ministry, the radionuclide nickel-63 is a low-energy beta emitter with a half-life of 100 years.
The range of the radiation in air is a few centimeters.
The nickel-63 solution found is used to coat metal foils.
Vial lost for years
The bottles were lost in 2006 at the predecessor company of the Braunschweig company for radiation and medical technology, where the man works.
At that time, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution was also informed, it said.
The public prosecutor's office, the state trade supervisory authority and the NLWKN specialist authority had already dealt with the matter earlier.
Investigations by the public prosecutor's office were discontinued in 2007 without any results.
The two vials with 14 milliliters each of the nickel-63 solution were lost.
The ministry did not provide any details about the "enclosed radiation source" in a special sealed "shielding vessel" that was also discovered during the searches, referring to the ongoing investigations.
The shield, which is supposed to prevent contact with the radiation source, was undamaged.
Man is said to have threatened murder
On Tuesday evening last week, the Braunschweig police took a 43-year-old into custody because he is said to have threatened to kill his superiors in an upcoming appraisal interview.
According to the relevant police report, the man had learned in advance that he should be fired.
When the investigators went to his apartment, they found not only firearms and ammunition, but also various chemicals.
The police opened an investigation into the threat of criminal offenses and a gun violation.
In several objects, the police later came across even more weapons and hazardous substances, it was said.
The investigators assumed a "not inconsiderable danger".
However, there was no danger to the population or the environment.
ptz / dpa
