The following information was provided by the
Texas Department of State Health Services (the Department) via phone and email:
On November 15, 2023, the Department was notified by the licensee that a Troxler model 3440 moisture/density gauge had been lost. The gauge contains one 8 millicurie Cs-137 source and one 40 millicurie Am-241 source.
The radiation safety officer (RSO) stated that on November 14, 2023, a licensee technician was performing work at a temporary job site where testing was being performed periodically. While sitting in their truck with the gauge on the tailgate of the truck, the technician realized they needed to go to a second job site about 20 minutes from where he was. When they reached the second job site, the technician realized they had left the gauge on the tailgate.
The technician notified the licensee's RSO and the licensee conducted multiple searches for the gauge but did not locate the gauge. The RSO was advised to contact local law enforcement about the event. The RSO was advised to check local pawn shops and internet sites such as eBay and Craig's List to watch for the gauge. The RSO does not believe the gauge possesses an exposure risk to any individual. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300.
Texas Incident Number: 10066
NMED Number: TX230052
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