Midland — State and local responders recovered a buried Cesium-137 (Cs-137) radioactive source in Midland County last weekend after a routine detector alarm led officers to the exact location.
How responders found the source
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a DPS corporal assigned to the Radiological/Nuclear Threat Detection Unit was on routine patrol near South County Road 1210 on Friday, July 24, when the vehicle’s mounted radiation detection system gave an alarm. A methodical survey followed, and the corporal determined the radiation was coming from beneath the ground.
The next day, the agency’s Rad/Nuc Unit, along with other responding local, state and federal partners, conducted radiological assessments and developed an excavation plan for a specialized recovery operation. Responders monitored exposure levels closely and rotated personnel in line with established safety protocols while preparing to retrieve the item.
What was recovered
The recovered item was identified as a 100-millicurie sealed radioactive source of Cesium-137, manufactured in April 1967. Teams located the source approximately 6 to 8 inches below the surface and removed it after documenting the condition and verifying radiation readings.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Isotope | Cesium-137 (Cs-137) |
| Activity | 100 millicuries |
| Manufacture date | April 1967 |
| Depth found | Approximately 6–8 inches below surface |
| Location | Near S County Road 1210, Midland County |
Public safety and outcome
Officials said the recovery was completed "safely and without incident." Radiation exposure to responders was monitored throughout the operation, and there were no reported injuries or contamination.
"The operation concluded with no injuries, no personnel contamination, and no threat to the public."
That assessment came after responders finished their documentation and rechecked radiation levels. The Texas DPS credited coordination with local, state and federal agencies for the successful outcome.
What this means for Midland residents
For Midland residents, the incident is a reminder of both the hidden legacy of older industrial and medical sources and the systems in place to detect and recover them. Cesium-137 sources were commonly used in medical, industrial and research equipment in mid-20th century America. While modern regulations and tracking have reduced the likelihood of such sources being lost or abandoned, this recovery shows detectors and trained teams can still be needed.
- Detection worked: vehicle-mounted monitors picked up the source during routine patrol.
- Response followed safety protocols: assessments, excavation planning and personnel rotation limited exposure.
- No public health impact reported: officials said there was no threat to citizens.
Officials did not provide further detail on how the source came to be buried at the site or whether an investigation into its origin will continue. For now, agencies involved characterize the recovery as a successful mitigation of a potential hazard.
Midland’s part in this case centers on the alert that started it and the local coordination that ensured the scene remained secure as specialized teams worked. Residents with questions about radiation detection, reporting lost or found industrial sources, or emergency procedures may contact the Texas Department of Public Safety or local emergency management offices for guidance.
This account is based on a DPS report of the recovery operation. No injuries, contamination or risk to the public were reported by authorities involved in the recovery.
