LA County Public Works searching for missing tool that can cause radiation sickness: Found

An LA County-owned device that was potentially harmful to the public, which was lost by an employee, has been found.

LA County Public Works reported the thin layer density gauge missing Dec. 14, saying it was last seen in Little Rock in the back of a county work truck.

There was concern about the missing device, because if mishandled or damaged, it could lead to radiation sickness. The county described the device as a bright yellow box, about 19 inches long, 9 inches wide and 6 inches tall, with a 5-inch handle and a radiation logo on its side.

Public Works had contacted local, state and federal authorities as part of their search for the item, even offering a $1,000 reward for the device's return.

On Monday, LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced the device had been found by a resident in Little Rock.

The supervisor said Public Works technicians performed diagnostic tests and found the device was intact and functioning perfectly.

Barger said she is concerned that the device was lost in the first place and wants to make sure measures are in place so equipment that has potential public health risks is more secure.

"It's a big relief to know that no one was hurt by radiation sickness in the process of recovering it. However, this cannot happen again," Barger said. 

The device uses radiation to measure density, similar to how X-rays work. They are lined with lead shielding around a sealed source of radiation. A damaged device may spread radioactivity.