Buried Cesium-137 Sealed Source Discovered by Texas Patrol Officer Near Roadside in Midland County

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a corporal with the department recently discovered a buried cesium-137 sealed radioactive source with an activity of 100 millicuries during a routine patrol near a roadway in Midland County. The incident resulted in no injuries or radiation contamination, and public safety was not threatened.

On July 24 local time, the corporal, assigned to the Texas Department of Public Safety's Radioactive/Nuclear Threat Detection Section, was patrolling near South County Road 1210 when the vehicle-mounted radiation detection system activated. He then used other detection equipment to survey the surrounding area and traced the radiation signal to an underground location. To ensure safe disposal, he requested assistance from relevant local, state, and federal agencies to remove the source.

On July 25, personnel from the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted a recovery operation with multiple partner agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Midland Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team, the Midland Health Department, Midland Emergency Management, and Chevron security representatives.

On-site emergency responders assessed the area, developed an excavation plan, and established cold and hot zones. During the operation, workers continuously monitored radiation exposure and rotated shifts in accordance with safety procedures. Ultimately, the source was located approximately 6 to 8 inches below the surface. The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that the item was a 100-millicurie sealed source manufactured in April 1967.

Recovery personnel documented the source's location, verified radiation readings, and successfully retrieved it. The Texas Department of Public Safety did not specify the origin of the source or explain why it had been buried, and no criminal activity related to the discovery was mentioned in the notification.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, sealed radioactive sources typically encapsulate radioactive material in a capsule or fix it in solid form to prevent leakage while allowing controlled release of ionizing radiation. Such sources can be used in medical, industrial, agricultural, research, and educational fields, including cancer treatment, equipment sterilization, structural inspection, and soil density measurement.

The Texas Department of Public Safety stated that its Radioactive/Nuclear Threat Detection Team consists of one lieutenant, one sergeant, and six corporals, equipped with vehicle-mounted, backpack, handheld, and drone-mounted detection devices for locating radioactive and nuclear materials outside regulatory control. The team also conducts security screening during major events and visits by dignitaries. The department further stated that it will issue personal radiation detectors to every state trooper and train troopers to serve as initial screeners for radioactive and nuclear threats.