The following information was provided by the
Maryland Department of the Environment (
MDE) via email:
On April 23, 2025, at 1240 EDT, the radiation safety officer of AB Consultants, Inc. reported an incident to the MDE involving damage to a portable nuclear gauge Troxler model 3440 (serial number 78275, 8 mCi Cs-137 and 40 mCi Am-241/Be sources). The incident took place at a road construction site near the Upper Marlboro area. The gauge was not in use at the time of the incident and the technician was present near the gauge. A multipurpose compactor, operated via radio remote control, accidentally struck the plastic housing of the gauge causing visible damage. According to the gauge technician, the compactor lost control during the remote operation, resulting in an unintended collision with the gauge.
No personal injuries were reported. The area was immediately secured, and emergency personnel, including firefighters, responded to the scene. MDE staff arrived thereafter, conducted a site survey, interviewed personnel, and inspected the damaged gauge. The radioactive sources within the device were confirmed to be intact. As a precaution, the gauge was safely packaged and transported to North East Technical Services Inc. (NETS) for leak testing and further evaluation. Decisions regarding repair or disposal will be based on NETS' findings. A follow-up radiation survey of the area was conducted after the gauge's removal, and no radiation levels above background were detected.
MDE has requested that the licensee submit documentation of the leak test results, calibration details of the
gauge and provide transfer and/or disposal certificates upon completion of the evaluation by NETS.
MDE radiological health program will follow up this reactive investigation until the device is repaired or disposed of.