Little Rock — Jared Thompson, Program Leader for the Radiation Control and Emergency Management Program, Arkansas Department of Health, announced today that one radioactive gauge is missing from a private residence in Memphis, Tennessee.  The gauge could pose a health risk to persons if handled or carried for an extended period of time.  The missing gauge was in a yellow plastic transport case and weighs approximately 90 pounds. Anyone finding this gauge should IMMEDIATELY report it to the nearest police authority or phone 1-800-633-1735 and ask for the Staff Duty Officer.

The gauge is described as a Troxler Electronic Laboratory Model 3430 (Serial #30199) soil moisture/density gauge containing 9 millicuries of Cesium-137 and 44 millicuries of Americium-2411: Beryllium.

State police, local government officials and law enforcement agencies, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management have also been notified.

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