Radioactive Material Reported Stolen in Philadelphia Region

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ^ | October 29, 2001 | NRC

[hispanarepublicana]

Press Release - Region I - 2001-062 - Two Gauges Containing Radioactive Material Reported Stolen in Greater Philadelphia Region

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NRC NEWS UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, REGION I 475 Allendale Road, King of Prussia, Pa. 19406

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No. I-01-062

October 29, 2001

CONTACT:

Diane Screnci (610)337-5330/ e-mail: dps@nrc.gov Neil A. Sheehan (610)337-5331/e-mail: nas@nrc.gov

TWO GAUGES CONTAINING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
REPORTED STOLEN IN GREATER PHILADELPHIA REGION Two portable moisture density gauges containing sealed sources of radioactive material were reportedly stolen in separate incidents last week. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Headquarters Operations Center at (301) 816-5100.

The first incident occurred on October 22 at about 7:45 in the morning. In that case, a gauge was reported stolen from the back of a pick-up truck parked near a work site on Ruan Street, off Frankford Avenue, in Philadelphia. Underwood Engineering Testing Company, Inc., of Mt. Ephraim, N.J., told the NRC the gauge had been secured to the bed of the truck with a chain locked to an "eye" hook. The gauge, chain, lock and hook were all missing.

The gauge contains approximately 8 millicuries of cesium-137 and 40 millicuries of americium-241. The gauge makes its measurements by projecting the radiation from the two radioactive sources into the ground and then displaying the reflected radiation on a dial on top of the gauge.

The gauge, which reportedly was in its transportation case, consists of the shielding container with a plunger-type handle protruding from the top to be used to extend and then retract the radioactive source from the shielded position. When not in use, the handle is normally locked, with the source in the retracted, safely shielded position.

In the second incident, a gauge belonging to Trap Rock Industries of Kingston, N.J, was reportedly stolen from a job site near the intersection of Route 31 and Interstate 95 in Hopewell, N.J., on October 24. It happened at about 10:30 at night. The company told the NRC that a worker had set the gauge aside for a short time and when he returned, it was gone. The gauge contains 8 millicuries of cesium-137.

In both cases, the sources were locked in the shielded position inside the gauges and present no hazard to the public in that configuration. However, any attempt to tamper with the radioactive sources in the gauge would subject the person to radiation exposure. Handling of the unshielded sources outside their container would carry a risk of potentially dangerous radiation exposure.

 

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[hispanarepublicana]

I did a search. Sorry if this has already been posted.

[dawn53]

Last night on some news show, maybe FoxNewsNetwork, they interviewed the police chief of Philadelphia.

He said he thought the AG warning was good because it put citizens on alert. They had had an owner of a rental truck establishment call and turn in 4 Middle Eastern guys who were trying to rent a U Haul. They took all 4 into custody.

[quimby]

The gauge contains approximately 8 millicuries of cesium-137 and 40 millicuries of americium-241

Thanks for the post, but this is a measurement gauge. The amounts are relatively tiny and are not fissionable.

[Dog Gone]

8 millicuries of cesium-137 and 40 millicuries of americium-241.

I'm no scientist, but that seems like a very small amount. I wouldn't think these were stolen in order to obtain the radioactive material primarily.

It might just be a street crime.

[francisandbeans]

dont apologize...I am glad to see it even of it was.

Now why is there not a national alert on this? This is kind of like a note from a friend:

Hey:

Misplaced my radioactive material...if you find it let me know!

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

The dirty nuke scenario. Enviro-terrorism. I wonder how the PETA people and tree huggers 'feel' about this?

[francisandbeans]

thanks for that post

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Some people privately own gyger counters. It would harm a number of people and devastate the economy if this is not taken care of.

[jlogajan]

40 millicuries of americium-241

I don't want to alarm anybody, but most common smoke detectors contain americium-241.

[Poohbah]

Ping. Let us know how much (or how little) danger this stuff is.

[quimby]

Now why is there not a national alert on this?

Because the amounts are very small.

Should there be a national alert every time a box cutter goes missing ?

[discostu]

Ditto that. Could probably get just as much from a handful of old fashioned (70s and early 80s mostly) smoke detectors. If they were stolen by terrorists to make nukes they are very stupid terrorists. My guess is they were stolen by teenagers because teenagers steel things from government vehicles.

[classygreeneyedblonde]

Well whomever stoled it knew what they were looking for and how to steal it and knew where it was kept. hmmmmmmmmmm

[El Sordo]

You could eat that much and not probably not suffer terrible harm. At least as long as you were getting enough roughage.

[hobbes1]

Yes if they wanted to know where to go..(ATTN: di*khead Terrorists )they would have gone HERE!

As you scroll down note the RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS ON-SITE: Headers...

[bigfootbob]

The devices are Nuclear Densometers. The measure moisture and compaction in soils. The radioactive material is small and to me, this is a mafia type crime. The units are spendy and are a valuable tool in road building and other construction activities.

[francisandbeans]

um...dude...I just thanked you for a clafication.

[classygreeneyedblonde]

This shows you how "good" our facilities are being protected this is pure neglience on the part of the chief of operations ...after 911 you would think this would have top prority......

[Poohbah]

If you have smoke detectors, you have similar amounts of radioactive material in your home. Chill.

[Bill Rice]

I used to be certified on these things, as we used them at a test lab where I worked. The amount of dangerous material they contain is miniscule.

The case that the densometers are stored in is pretty cool though. Some kid probably stole them to use the cases for beer-coolers. Ours were orange, and had handles and latches all over it. I had one ripped off out of my truck back in 87.

I really don't think this is much cause for alarm, especially if these things were anything like what we used.