The following information was provided by the
California Department of Public Health - Radiation Health Branch (
RHB) via email:
On Wednesday night, November 24, 2022, Arrow Infrastructure Solutions Inc. [doing business as] dba Arrow Engineering [Radiation Safety Officer] RSO [redacted] reported to [California Office of Emergency Services] Cal OES the loss or possible theft of a CPN moisture density gauge, MC-1DR-P (MD70803845) containing sealed sources of Cs-137 (10 mCi) and Am-241:Be (50 mCi), Cal OES Control :22-6906. The loss or possible theft was noticed by the authorized user [AU] at a gas station in Mojave, CA as the user was returning from a jobsite. The AU noticed the truck tailgate down and the CPN gauge missing as they were leaving the gas station after a restroom break, the gauge possibly fell out of the truck on Highway 58 in between Tehachapi and Mojave. The AU retraced their route on the Highway but had not located the gauge so far, they will search again on 11/24/22 during the daylight. The licensee will gather additional information for the follow up investigation and provide additional information to the department as it becomes available.
UPDATE: The FBI notified RHB Management that the gauge had been found by a member of the public and turned into the Kern County Law Enforcement Agency. The RSO was notified and provided with contact information so the gauge could be retrieved. The RSO was instructed to do a wipe/leak test, get it analyzed quickly, and secure the gauge in storage until a negative result was returned. If a leak is detected, they will coordinate with a service company for repair or disposal. RHB Brea staff will continue with the investigation.
California 5010 Number: 112322