Nuclear Guage Stolen in Philadelphia

Officials from the Department of Environmental Protection are urging anyone with information about a stolen moisture density gauge containing radioactive material to contact the Philadelphia Police Department or the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. DEP’s Bureau of Radiation Protection Director David J. Allard cautioned that the gauge presents no danger to the public so long as the radioactive contents remain shielded. “As long as the device is not tampered with or damaged, it presents no hazard to the public,” said Allard. “However, handling an unshielded radioactive source outside of its container for more than a few minutes carries a risk of potentially dangerous radiation exposure, as does any attempt to tamper with the radioactive source in the device.” The portable gauge belongs to Applied Testing and Geosciences LLC, Bridgeport, Montgomery County. It was stolen from a locked box that was chained to a flatbed truck on Dickinson Street in Philadelphia and was removed from its yellow transportation container. The theft is believed to have occurred between 8:30 p.m., Thursday, April 24, and 6:45 a.m. today. The Philadelphia Police Department was notified of the incident and responded to the area. The investigation is ongoing.