A shipment of radioactive material weighing 27 pounds that was sent to an on-campus office at Texas A&M University is missing, KBTX reported.
On Friday, an email sent internally by Christopher Meyer, an assistant vice president with the Office of Safety and Security, asked for help in locating the shipment.
According to the station, the FedEx shipment was sent to the College Station, Texas, school from the Edina, Minn., office of the Science Engineering and Education Co. SEE Co. reportedly has a branch called Ritverc that makes radioactive material used for research.
“The outside of the package has a logo from RITVERC and has UN2910 marking,” Meyer’s email said, according to KBTX.
FedEx records show the package, which is a cardboard box that weighs 27 pounds and measures 20 inches on each side, was delivered on Aug. 21 and that a “KHOUSELY” signed for it, the station reported.
Texas A&M University released the following statement on Monday, KBTX reported:
“Texas A&M University has been working with Federal Express to locate a missing package that was shipped to — but we are confident was not received by — the Texas A&M Radiation Safety Office containing a radioactive source used for research purposes.
“We obviously want to locate this package as quickly as possible because it does contain radioactive material, but we hasten to add it doesn’t present a health threat to the community provided the contents, which are secured in a box with two layers of inner containment, are not disturbed.
“This sealed package, like many others, are routinely sent via Federal Express from companies that specialize in providing sensitive shipments to universities and other entities. This matter has been reported to all appropriate federal and state regulatory agencies.
“If anyone has any information that could help us locate this package please contact the Environmental Health and Safety Office immediately (979) 845-2132.”
