The following was received from the
California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch via email:
On Tuesday, March 7, 2023, the Krazan and Associates, Inc. Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) reported the theft of a moisture density gauge, CPN MC-3 (M351208119) containing sealed sources of Cs-137 (10 mCi) and Am-241:Be (50 mCi), Cal OES control number: 23-1630. The theft occurred overnight between Monday and Tuesday, March 6-7, 2023, at the office's equipment storage container located within their fenced in property. The RSO stated that the thief cut a hole in the back fence that borders an open dirt area behind their lot and then cut the lock off of the storage container and opened the doors. This theft was reviewed on security camera footage. They had several gauges in the storage container and other construction equipment, but only this one gauge was stolen. The other equipment was assumed to be too heavy for the thief. The CPN nuclear gauge handle was locked to prevent operation. The gauge was locked in its transport case, and the company had contact information on the gauge and case. Lancaster police were notified. An investigation will be conducted, and a report will be provided when available. The licensee was advised to submit a reward ad in the local paper to aid in the recovery effort. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.
California Event Number: 030723
THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A 'Less than Cat 3' LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Sources that are "Less than
IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as
moisture density gauges or thickness
gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf