The following is information provided by the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Radiation Protection (
DEP) via email:
On June 14, 2024, an employee of the licensee reported to police that their vehicle, with a nuclear density gauge secured in the trunk, was stolen earlier that day. Local police are aware of the incident. The DEP has been in contact with the licensee and will update this event as soon as more information is provided.
Manufacturer and Model Number: Troxler Electronic Laboratories
Model Number: 3440
Serial Number: 35459
Isotope and Activity: Cesium 137, 9 millicuries; Americium 241:Be, 44 millicuries.
PA Event Report ID No: PA240012
Surrounding States and the Pennsylvania emergency response team have been notified.
- * * UPDATE ON 6/25/2024 AT 0730 EDT FROM JOHN CHIPPO TO SAMUEL COLVARD * * *
The following is information provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Radiation Protection (DEP) via email:
On June 24, 2024, the car and gauge were recovered. The gauge was still inside of the vehicle with no damage or evidence of tampering. Survey meter readings of the gauge showed normal levels and it was returned to the licensee. Representatives of the Philadelphia Fire Company accompanied the licensee to retrieve the gauge.
Notified R1DO (Jackson), NMSS Events Notification (email), ILTAB (email), CNSC Canada (email)
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