HARRISBURG – Officials from the Department of Environmental Protection are urging anyone with information about a stolen Troxler moisture density gauge containing radioactive material to contact the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or Pennsylvania State Police.
The gauge, belonging to Valley Quarries of Chambersburg, was taken from a locked vehicle in Guilford Township, Franklin County, between 10 p.m., May 6, and 5:30 a.m. May 7 When last seen, the moisture density gauge was still in its yellow transportation container. Valley Quarries is offering a $1,000 reward for the return of the device.
“As long as the device is not tampered with or damaged, it presents no hazard to the public,” DEP Bureau of Radiation Protection Director David J. Allard said. “However, handling the unshielded gauge outside 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 Troxler moisture density gauge is model 3440 and its serial number is 32506.
“It is critical for anyone who has information about, or witnessed the apparent theft, to immediately contact the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Operations Center or Pennsylvania State Police,” Allard said.
Anyone who finds the gauge should leave it alone and report its location to the NRC’s operations center at 301-816-5100, or the Pennsylvania State Police Chambersburg barracks at 717-264-5161.