The following was received from the
Maryland Department of Environment Radiological Health Program via email:
On August 17, 2021, at about 1215 EDT, the Maryland Department of the Environment Radiological Health Program (MDE/RHP) was contacted via telephone by the Operations Manager of the Montgomery County Shady Grove Transfer Station and Recycling Center located at 16101 Frederick Rd, Derwood, Maryland 20855 that a "B17 Bomber", radioactive material was thrown into a scrap metal bin. The MDE/RHP responded the same day and investigated the "B17 Bomber", which was later identified as Sextant Bubble Type (with Altitude Averaging Device) AN-5851-1, Part number 3014-1-B and Serial Number AF-42-0676, Contract number AC-26968 and manufactured by Bendix Aviation Corporation navigation instrument which contain Radium - 226 source with estimated nominal activities of 2 microcuries.
The Sextant Bubble Type navigation device was dropped by unidentified person(s) at an unknown date and time and was discovered by the Montgomery County Shady Grove Transfer Station and Recycling Center staff when screened for radiation on August 17, 2021. The device was isolated and stored at the temporary hazardous materials storage in the facility by the Operations Manager. The device was later transferred to the local radioactive waste management company, the RSO, Inc. for disposal on August 20, 2021.
MDE/RHP will finalize a reactive investigation.