The Department of Environmental Protection and police in Pittsburgh and Mount Lebanon said Wednesday they are continuing their investigation into the disappearance of a portable gauge containing sealed sources of radioactive material.

The gauge belongs to Solar Testing of Pennsylvania and the company is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the recovery of the gauge. It was last used by the company on Friday, June 27, in the Mount Lebanon area. The company is licensed by DEP to use the gauge.

The nuclear density gauge is a Troxler Model 3411B, serial number 5434. The gauge is yellow in color and about the size of a shoe box, with an electronic keypad and a metal rod extending from the top surface. The Troxler gauge contains approximately 9 millicuries of cesium-137 and 44 millicuries of americium-241.

The device is safe as long as it is not tampered with or damaged.

Anyone who should find the gauge should leave it alone and report its location to DEP during regular business hours at 412-442-4000; or contact the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency off-hours at 717-651-2001.

If the gauge appears to be damaged and it appears to be an emergency, dial 911. A trained individual will be sent to recover the gauge.

7/14/2014