The following information was provided by the State of
Arkansas via email:
On April 18, 2017, at 1210 [CDT], the licensee contacted the Department [Arkansas Department of Health] reporting that a moisture density gauge was missing from the permanent storage facility in Hot Springs, Arkansas and presumed stolen. In addition to the Department, the licensee had notified local law enforcement offices.
The licensee believes that the gauge was taken between Friday, April 14, 2017 and Tuesday morning, April 18, 2017. The licensee believes that the gauge may be in possession of a former employee.
The gauge is a Troxler, Model 3440, Serial Number 15160, containing 40 milliCuries of Americium-241 and 8 milliCuries of Cesium-137.
In accordance with RH-1501.c.1.A. (10 CFR 20.2201(a)(1)(i)) the stolen gauge is immediately reportable.
Law Enforcement is investigating.
The State of Arkansas is awaiting the outcome of the law enforcement investigation and a written report from the licensee. The State's event number is AR-2017-001.
- * * UPDATE FROM DAVID STEPHENS TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1338 EDT ON 4/20/2017 * * *
The following information was received via E-mail:
The Arkansas Department of Health Radiation Control Section received notification that the Troxler Electronic Laboratories Gauge (Model 3440, Serial Number 15160) reported stolen on April 19, 2017, was recovered in Hot Springs Village by the Garland County Sheriff's office. The gauge does not appear to be damaged, and has been transported to the licensee's permanent storage location. A leak test has been performed by the licensee. The Department considers the matter closed pending receipt of the licensee's report and leak test results.
Notified R4DO (Azua), ILTAB (Salisbury), and NMSS Events Notification Group.
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.