Thieves stole a vehicle that had a portable nuclear gauge in it (see attached photos of the missing device) that contains radioactive nuclear material. While the vehicle was returned, the gauge is still missing and may have been damaged after the theft of the vehicle took place.
The nuclear density gauge belonged to a construction inspection company and is used to "evaluate the properties of building and road-bed materials" the nuclear material inside is safely contained, but can expose the population to radiation if it is tampered with, mishandled, or damaged.
The state's Department of Environmental Protection said that if the device's sealed radioactive material is badly damaged or struck by a vehicle, "there is potential for damage to the radioactive source and spread of contamination".
David Allard, director of the Bureau of Radiation Protection said that "It is critical for anyone who has information about the lost nuclear gauge to contact local authorities or DEP", but "As long as the device is not tampered with or damaged, it presents no hazard to public safety".
Environmental authorities however have stated that they believe the gauge "may have been damaged after the theft of the vehicle" and are encouraging anyone who comes upon the device not to touch it and to contact the authorities.
The press release also stated that "KAKS and Company LLC is licensed by DEP to possess and use the gauge. This type of nuclear gauge is commonly used to evaluate the properties of building and road-bed materials at construction sites throughout the commonwealth. The radioactive material contained within the gauge is believed to be in a safe, shielded position. However, it may have been damaged after the theft of the vehicle".
"The nuclear density gauge is a Troxler Model 3440, serial number 31109. The gauge is yellow in color and about the size of a shoebox, with an electronic keypad and a metal rod extending from the top surface. The Troxler gauge contains approximately 8 millicuries of Cesium-137 and 40 millicuries of Americium-241. The radioactive material is in a double encapsulated source capsule within the device to protect its integrity" the release stated.
The nuclear density gauge belonged to a construction inspection company and is used to "evaluate the properties of building and road-bed materials" the nuclear material inside is safely contained, but can expose the population to radiation if it is tampered with, mishandled, or damaged.
The state's Department of Environmental Protection said that if the device's sealed radioactive material is badly damaged or struck by a vehicle, "there is potential for damage to the radioactive source and spread of contamination".
David Allard, director of the Bureau of Radiation Protection said that "It is critical for anyone who has information about the lost nuclear gauge to contact local authorities or DEP", but "As long as the device is not tampered with or damaged, it presents no hazard to public safety".
Environmental authorities however have stated that they believe the gauge "may have been damaged after the theft of the vehicle" and are encouraging anyone who comes upon the device not to touch it and to contact the authorities.
The press release also stated that "KAKS and Company LLC is licensed by DEP to possess and use the gauge. This type of nuclear gauge is commonly used to evaluate the properties of building and road-bed materials at construction sites throughout the commonwealth. The radioactive material contained within the gauge is believed to be in a safe, shielded position. However, it may have been damaged after the theft of the vehicle".
"The nuclear density gauge is a Troxler Model 3440, serial number 31109. The gauge is yellow in color and about the size of a shoebox, with an electronic keypad and a metal rod extending from the top surface. The Troxler gauge contains approximately 8 millicuries of Cesium-137 and 40 millicuries of Americium-241. The radioactive material is in a double encapsulated source capsule within the device to protect its integrity" the release stated.
Last edited: