The victims of the Goiânia accident in 1987 never imagined that an unknown glowing powder could bring immense harm and ultimately claim lives. This unawareness of the danger led to the harrowing radiological incident in Goiânia. A powdered radioactive substance moved silently and unknowingly through the city, ultimately affecting nearly 249 people and even claiming lives. 

Based on this real-life tragedy, the latest Portuguese-Brazilian Netflix docudrama series, Radioactive Emergency, attempted to shed light on scientists' and medical professionals’ efforts to contain the spread, along with giving a glimpse of the real struggles and fear of the victims. While the devastating toll of the incident and the bravery of the people of Goiânia during that time are well known, the question is who was responsible for the accident. What happened in the finale episode of the drama series (Portuguese title) Emergência Radioativa? 

Directed and written by Fernando Coimbra, this 5-part series, Radioactive Emergency, focused on the real incident when two scavengers stole an abandoned radiotherapy unit from the site of a former medical facility in Goiânia, Brazil, and were exposed to powder Cesium-137. Without being aware of the dangers of the content of the unit, they sell it to a local scrap yard owner, Evenildo, who ends up sharing the powder with friends and family, further spreading the radiation poisoning. 

At the end, the show comes down to the authorities taking responsibility for the incident. It was revealed that it was the former medical facility that had abandoned the dangerous equipment at the site during a legal dispute, and did not inform CNEN about it. Both institutes were criticized for the incident.

During the last episode, both the director of the National Nuclear Energy Commission, Beny Orenstein, and the Secretary of Health were indicted for manslaughter. During the hearing, Dr. Orenstein admitted to not being informed about the abandoned equipment and emotionally admitted that it was ultimately negligence that led to the incident.

The series ends with showing real footage of the locations and houses affected and contaminated. It also quoted that 5 professionals from a former medical facility were convicted of manslaughter, while CNEN was asked to pay 1 million Reais for the care of the victims. 

While the previous 4 episodes deal with the authorities and the character Márcio locating all the sources and leading the decontamination process, the last episode focuses on yet another important detail, which is the dumping of radioactive waste. After the authorities decided to store the radioactive waste in the Abadia de Goiás, considering it the safest place, they faced resistance from the protestors who were concerned about the poisoning of the land.

As shown in the series, the authorities were finally able to convince and build the disposable facility in Abadia de Goiás. Moreover, it was shown that the Ministers of Health and Labor and the National Nuclear Energy Commission also signed a deal to mandate the inspection of radiotherapy machines. On the other hand, Marcio, who has struggled much during the journey to ensure the decantation process, was offered a job at CNEN by Beny.

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At the end, the series not only looked at decontamination processes, but it also looked into those responsible for the incident. However, the victims were also an equally important part of the series, which devoted much of its time to their struggles. Did these characters, who were inspired by the real victims of the incident, find their homes and old lives back in the show?

Antonia and one of the youngest affected members, Celeste, who had the worst poisoning, struggled for days at the Navy hospital. Unfortunately, they passed away as their condition had already worsened, and they could not take the new treatment. Later, Josias and Valencio, who worked at the scrapyard with Evenildo, also passed away. 

However, the rest of the members handled the new treatment well and were able to leave the Navy hospital and return to the general hospital in Goiânia. Alongside the scenes that looked at the decontamination process, the last episode also finds the characters reuniting after much struggle. Catarina, who was taken away from her family for not having any radiation and struggled alone, was also able to reunite with her husband and son. 

But the series showed that the houses of the victims were demolished, which happened during the real incident too. An emotional scene shows the victims worrying about their houses being destroyed and whether the government will provide aid. However, soon one of the members reminds them that they can build everything back as long as they are healthy and together. 

All in all, the show was able to bring a proper ending to the series. Radioactive Emergency was not just a glimpse into one of the most harrowing radiological disasters, but also a tribute to the victims who struggled during this time, scientists, medical professionals, and all those who tirelessly worked during the decontamination process at that time. 

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Have you watched Radioactive Emergency? Let us know in the comments.