Radioactive device stolen

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality says a gauge containing radioactive material has been stolen from the parking lot of an Oklahoma City hotel near Interstate 40.

The gauge is called a Humboldt Scientific 5001 EZ and is used to measure the moisture content and density of construction materials. It is not considered a health risk to humans unless it’s opened and DEQ spokeswoman Skylar McElhaney said Wednesday that it would be difficult to open for a person unfamiliar with it.

McElhaney said the amount of radiation in the gauge likely would not deliver a lethal dose, but would be a health risk.

The gauge was in a trailer own by Missouri-based Midwest Testing that was also stolen. The trailer has Kentucky license plate 624-274