Nuclear gauge device stolen from West Virginia-based company

The West Virginia-based Thrasher Engineering recently notified the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) that a portable moisture-density gauge containing sealed sources of radioactive material has been stolen.

Thrasher Engineering of Bridgeport reported that the device was stolen from a technician’s truck while it was parked on Sept. 10. Surveillance video from the scene showed an individual parking a pickup truck next to the vehicle holding the gauge and taking the device from there. The gauge was locked by two different devices as required by NRC regulations.

The gauge houses small amounts of cesium-137 and americium-241 and is used to make measurements by projecting the radiation from the two radioactive sources into the ground and then displaying the reflected radiation on a dial on the top of the gauge. The device is stored in a large yellow transportation case when not in use.

The NRC said that as long as the radioactive sources are in the shielded position, the gauge would present no health hazards. Any attempts to tamper with the device, however, could subject a person to unintended radiation exposure. Any handling of the radioactive elements could also carry a dangerous risk of radiation exposure.

The NRC is sending an inspector to the Thrasher offices to gather more information on the gauge.