Desert Dog Blog

Radioactive device stolen from construction site

ABOVE: The red nuclear density probe looked similar to this.

Someone, hopefully just some desert tweeker, stole a radioactive device at a construction site in Hesperia, according to Victor Valley’s Daily Press.

The device is a probe that measures moisture content in the soil, but it contains radioactive chemicals that can obviously be harmful to people.

Nuclear Density meters like this one are a quick and accurate way of determining density and moisture content. The meter uses a radioactive isotope source (usually Cesium 137) at the soil surface (known as backscatter) or from a probe placed into the soil (direct transmission).

ABOVE: An illustration of how a nuclear density meter works.

The isotope source gives off photons (usually Gamma rays) which radiate back to the mater’s detectors on the bottom of the unit. Dense soil absorbs more radiation than loose soil and the readings reflect overall density. Water content can also be read, all within a few minutes.

I’m not sure what someone can do with this, except get in trouble; or through sheer ignorance hurt themselves or others.  It isn’t so radioactive that it can be used effectively as a weapon of mass destruction, of course. In fact, it’s available commercially.

According to the Daily Press, this particular device is in a red case with radioactive stickers on it. The probe manufactured by CPN is inside the case along with a hammer, metal plate and plastic box. It’s model number is MC3 and the last four serial numbers are 6989.

If anyone has information about this case they are asked to contact the Hesperia station at (760) 947-1500 or call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME.