Health Department reports stolen radioactive device

(AP) - State health officials are asking the public to keep an eye out for a stolen device containing radioactive materials. The device apparently was stolen sometime Wednesday night from a pickup truck in Forest Lake.

Asset Management -- a construction firm -- owns the device. It uses sealed radiation sources to measure the moisture content and density of soil and building materials.

The state Health Department says the device does not pose a health hazard as long as it is not damaged, tampered with, or handled by untrained persons.

Health Department radioactive materials expert George Johns told MPR's Steven John that the amount of radioactive material in the device is not enough to cause widespread damage.

Health officials say the device has no resale value. It's stored in a yellow box about 30 inches long, 14 inches wide and 17 inches high. The box is labeled as containing radioactive materials.