The FedEx Corporation has finally located a lost package content after reports have been made about missing radioactive rods. These radioactive rods (which were eventually found by FedEx Team) were important to set a CT scanning equipment functioning.

It was found that a cylinder that housed low-level radioactive rods was missing since November 23. These radioactive cylinders were later on found at one of the FedEx facilities in Knoxville, Tennessee. The package was supposed to be delivered in the said city. This was according to the spokeswoman of FedEx, Sandra Munoz. The statement was sent through e-mail. Munoz said that the package was from Fargo, North Dakota and was sent by plane on November 22. Furthermore, Munoz stated that the package was always in their custody. This was said a few hours after the FedEx team in Tennessee declared that the said package could not be accounted to FedEx.The missing cylinder was one of the three which were supposed to be delivered in Tennessee. The three cylinders were packed in separate boxes. Apparently, the boxes got wet.

It was assumed that this happened because of a downpour in Memphis where the packages were transferred before reaching Knoxville, its destination. According to Munoz, the box was damaged by water, resulting to the loss of one cylinder. After three days, the radioactive cylinder was recovered in Knoxville. Munoz presumed that the FedEx staff set the box aside as it had no label written on it. The team was aware that they were looking for a cylinder but they never opened the box at once.

The retrieved cylinder, which is about 10 inches long, contained four rods containing germanium-68. These rods are used in computerized tomography scans or CT scans, which produce x-rays from different angles creating cross-sectional image of a person’s body.

Munoz said that these rods are not considered deadly. According to her, it would take 1,000 hours of exposure to the rods before someone gets a skin blister. With this being said, the cylinders were totally harmless had it been opened by someone.

David McIntyre, a spokesman for US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, affirms Munoz’ statement. He said that the total radioactivity for the rod is around684 megabecquerels which is equal to around 18 microcuries. This cannot be considered a large source of radiation, as supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency.Asked for the final destination of the recovered package, Munoz opted not to answer it.

FedEx is among the largest US cargo companies landing behind United Parcel Service Inc. The company has thousands of facilities worldwide, catering to the people’s shipment needs.