Wayne County Well Surveys, Inc., of Fairfield, Illinois, reported the canister missing to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency on Oct. 16.
While the canister was reported missing then, documents filed with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission by Wayne County Well Survey revealed the device has actually been missing for almost two months.
According to the NRC document, Wayne County Well Surveys' radiation safety officer last verified possession of the device on June 2 during a leak test.
"The loss is believed to have happened sometime in the middle of September," the report stated.
Wayne County Well Survey workers and Illinois EMA officials have searched several roads that the company truck carrying the device may have travelled. The search is now being concentrated on several rural roads between Fairfield and Decatur.
The steel container is silver in color, 12-inches high and 14-inches in diameter. It weighs 75 pounds. The container is labeled on two sides as "DOT Radioactive Yellow II" with the radiation symbol and manufacturer's name "Hopewell Designs, Inc." on its base.
The inner source is about 4-inches long and 2-inches wide and is labeled "Danger – Radioactive Material, Do Not Handle – Notify Civil Authorities."
Anyone who comes across the container should not handle the device and instead contact their nearest law enforcement office.
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