A routine patrol near a Midland County road led a corporal to a 100-millicurie cesium-137 source buried several inches underground, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
The corporal, assigned to the agency’s Radiological/Nuclear Threat Detection Unit, was patrolling near South County Road 1210 on July 24 when a vehicle-mounted radiation detection system sounded an alarm.
The corporal surveyed the area with additional equipment and traced the radiation to a source below ground. He then requested help from local, state and federal agencies to remove it safely.
Detector leads crews to buried source
DPS personnel and partner agencies conducted the recovery operation on July 25. The participating organizations included the FBI, Texas Department of State Health Services, Midland Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team, Midland Health Department, Midland Emergency Management and Chevron security representatives.
The responding teams assessed the site, developed an excavation plan and established hot and cold zones. They continuously monitored radiation exposure and rotated workers under established safety protocols.
Crews located the source about 6 to 8 inches below the surface. DPS identified the item as a 100-millicurie sealed radioactive source manufactured in April 1967.
Responders documented the source, verified radiation readings and recovered it without incident. DPS reported no injuries, no personnel contamination and no threat to the public.
DPS does not identify source’s origin
DPS did not identify the source’s origin or explain how it came to be buried. The release did not allege any criminal activity connected to the discovery.
Sealed radioactive sources keep material inside a capsule or in bonded solid form to prevent leaks while allowing controlled ionizing radiation emissions, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. They support medical, industrial, agricultural, research and educational uses, including cancer treatment, equipment sterilization, structural testing and soil-density measurement.
The DPS unit includes one lieutenant, one sergeant and six corporals. Members use vehicle-mounted, backpack, handheld and drone-mounted detectors to locate radiological and nuclear material outside regulatory control. The unit also screens large events and dignitary visits.
DPS said it is issuing a personal radiation detector to every state trooper and training troopers to serve as primary radiological and nuclear threat screeners.
Provided by Dallas Express
