A very odd story from ABC News Online:

Western Australia's Health Department has secured a canister of radioactive material that was missing in the state for almost two months.

The canister was found by a Main Roads crew just off the Brand Highway, about 240 kilometres north of Perth.

Mining company Schlumberger imported it from the US in mid-November. The canister was due to be transported to Dampier by road but never arrived.

The Health Department issued a public plea for assistance in locating the item, which looks like a household gas cylinder.

It warned anyone who found the canister to remain at least five metres away to minimise exposure.

The department says the canister was found intact and confirmed there has been no leakage of radioactive material.

It has been placed in secure storage in Perth.

Why is Schlumberger importing radioactive material into Australia?