Radioactive Material Stolen in Texas

TheNewMexicoChannel.com - News - New Mexico Helps Texas Search For Stolen Radioactive Material: "New Mexico Helps Texas Search For Stolen Radioactive Material
Toxic Antimony-124 Shipped From Albuquerque

POSTED: 4:46 pm MST November 15, 2005
UPDATED: 7:16 pm MST November 15, 2005

SANTA FE, N.M. -- New Mexico environmental officials are helping Texas officials investigate the theft of radioactive material from a shipment sent from Albuquerque to Kilgore, Texas.

Authorities believe the vials of antimony-124 were stolen in Texas.

The truck traveled through Clovis and several cities in Texas.

The Environment Department is working with the Texas Department of Health Services and the FBI.

Atimony-124 can result in significant radiation exposure.

It's also toxic.

Direct exposure can cause skin ulcers and can reduce the production of red blood cells and lead to leukemia.

The shipment was contained in two World War II-style ammo boxes, each weighing 80 pounds.

Officials said the material is probably not a terrorism threat.

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved."