In addition to people being hurt, accidents involving SRS can inflict a considerable
mental effect on workers and the public at large and can result in significant cost. If a source were to be discovered in the public domain, it can expose individuals to radiation (although perhaps not with lethal or severe consequences); it can become ruptured and contaminate both individuals and a local environment; or it can be improperly transferred to a metal recycling plant or an unauthorized disposal facility, such as a landfill. If a source were to be transferred to a metal recycling plant, in addition to the potential consequences of exposure and contamination, the source can be melted, contaminating either the product or the by-products of the remelting facility. The costs from such an event can run in millions of dollars. The consequences and total cost of an accident depend largely on the accident scenario and time span between initiation and discovery of the accident. If the accident is not immediately
recognized or if responding action is delayed, increased exposure of individuals and/or spread
of contamination can result.